my dad has a pancreatic cancer. will i have it too?

Answer 1

No real way to know without testing.

Answer 2

Pancreatic cancer, primarily ductal adenocarcinoma, accounts for about 30,500 cases and 29,700 deaths in the US annually. Symptoms include weight loss, abdominal pain, and jaundice. Diagnosis is by CT. Treatment is surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Prognosis is poor because disease is often advanced at the time of diagnosis.(Merck)
It is known that a small percentage of people develop the disease as a result of a genetic predisposition. These people who have a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, with pancreatic cancer have a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer themselves.
In addition, a number of genetic diseases have been associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, including familial adenomatous polyposis, nonpolyposis colon cancer, familial breast cancer associated with the BRCA2 gene, hereditary pancreatitis, and familial atypical multiple mole-melanoma syndrome — a serious type of skin cancer. This means that people who have a hereditary predisposition to develop these cancers are also more likely to develop pancreatic cancer.
Yet only about 10 percent of pancreatic cancers result from an inherited tendency. A greater number are caused by environmental or lifestyle factors, such as smoking, diet and chemical exposure.(Mayo Clinic)
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of death from cancer in the United States. The disease is slightly more common in men than in women, and risk increases with age.
The cause is unknown, but it is more common in smokers and in obese individuals. Almost a third of cases of pancreatic cancer are due to cigarette smoking. There is controversy as to whether type 2 diabetes is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. A small number of cases are known to be related to syndromes that are passed down through families. (MedlinePlus)
Please see the web pages for more details on Pancreatic carcinoma.

Answer 3

Cancer of the pancreas is a genetic disease which means that it is caused by changes (mutations) in DNA. These changes can be inherited (we are born with them) or they can be acquired (they develop after we are born). The inherited changes explain why cancer of the pancreas runs in some families, and the acquired changes can be the result of either bad luck during cell replication or by exposure to carcinogens (cancer causing chemicals) such as those found in cigarette smoke.

This is a current area of research at Hopkins. It has been estimated that ten percent of pancreatic cancers are hereditary. Many of these occur as part of rare medical syndromes. To read more go to the link below.

Answer 4

The occurence of cancers are most of the time a combination of several factors like genetics and environmental factors. Since your father had pancreatic cancer then you have a genetic predisposition. But you still need other factors to trigger the disease (ex. eating the wrong kinds of food). If these other factors are absent you have a lesser chance of having the disease. As with any disease early detection is better. So if you have symptoms, see your doctor.

Answer 5

There is no way to know who will get any type of cancer although some cancers tend to run higher in families.

Answer 6

Not necessarily.
Genetic disorders can jump generations.
Either way, it pays to stay informed and
up to date on new cancer findings.
Easy to do with internet.

Answer 7

I don't think it is a given. Talk to people for support.

Answer 8

not necessarily, but your chances are increased like 50%.