Douglas Adler, MD, Director
Huntsman Cancer Institute’s High Risk Pancreas Cancer Clinic (HRPCC)
is a unique resource designed specifically to counsel and treat persons at high risk for pancreatic cancer. As the only clinic of its kind in the Intermountain west, the HRPCC
offers a wide range of services:
- Access to a physician and genetic counselor in one visit
- In-depth, personal pancreas cancer risk assessment
- Evaluation of family cancer history and personal medical history
- Cancer screening examinations and laboratory testing
- Individualized treatment programs
- Strategies to reduce cancer risk, including lifestyle changes and cancer
prevention agents
- Opportunities to participate in clinical trials, genetic testing, or other
activities
- Patient education
Risk and Pancreas Cancer
Pancreas cancer affects less than one percent of the U.S. population. About 32,000
people are diagnosed each year—that’s about one in 10,000 people. There are several
well-known risk factors that increase a person’s chance for developing the disease.
These factors include smoking, chemical exposure, family history of pancreas cancer,
certain hereditary syndromes, chronic pancreatitis, and diabetes. Each of these factors
can influence risk in different ways. It is important to ask you doctor to determine
your individual risk.
Eligibility for the HRPCC
You may be eligible for the HRPCC if you meet the following criteria:
- Known hereditary syndrome associated with pancreas cancer including but not limited
to FAMMM, PJS, HBOC, HNPCC, or FAP
- Within 10 years of age or older from the youngest age of onset of cancer in relative (above age 18) OR above age 50
- Family history of pancreatic cancer (at least two relatives of any degree with
pancreatic cancer or one first-degree relative with pancreatic cancer diagnosed before
age 50)
- Combination of confirmed risk factors including diabetes, environmental carcinogen
exposure, or smoking
Research and the HRPCC
One of the goals of the HRPCC is to make research opportunities available to those at high risk. If you are eligible for the HRPCC, several research studies will be presented to you at the time of your visit. Scientists at Huntsman Cancer Institute study persons
at high risk to try to determine the genetic and environmental precursors to pancreatic
cancer. The identification of these precursors will help scientists identify and treat
patients before cancer develops.
Contacting the HRPCC
The HRPCC is a member of the Family Cancer Assessment Clinic at Huntsman Cancer
Institute. If you would like to make an appointment or talk to someone about the HRPCC,
please contact the Family Cancer Assessment Clinic.
Family Cancer Assessment Clinic
c/o High Risk Pancreas Cancer Clinic
Huntsman Cancer Institute
2000 Circle of Hope
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
(801) 587-9555
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