Hackensack University Medical Center launched an innovative screening program that screens individuals who are at high-risk for developing familial or hereditary pancreatic cancer. This new initiative is the first of its kind in New Jersey and patients who are eligible will receive both an imaging test and a recently approved biomarker test that measures the immune system’s response to diseases in the blood.
The goal of the testing is to catch more of these types of cancer early, when there is the highest chance of treatment success. These types of screening programs also help act as an entry point for new patients into a health system.
The Biomarker testing looks for genes, proteins and other substances that can provide information about cancer. Each person's cancer has a unique pattern of biomarkers. Some biomarkers affect how certain cancer treatments work.
Pancreatic cancer is often called the silent killer because most patients do not experience symptoms until the cancer is big enough to impact the surrounding organs. Even then, the symptoms are often vague, which is why this testing is so important.
According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 56,770 Americans will receive a pancreatic cancer diagnosis this year alone. This type of cancer accounts for nearly eighty percent of all cancer-related deaths in the United States, making it one of the most lethal forms of malignant diseases.
According to Rosario Ligresti, MD, chief of Gastroenterology at Hackensack University Medical Center, the incidence of pancreas cancer has been significantly rising since 2000, especially in women younger than 55.
“Pancreas cancer is predicted to become the second-leading cause of cancer death in the world by 2030, overtaking colon cancer,” explains Ligresti. “We absolutely need a better way to screen for it.”
Patients are encouraged to speak with their doctors to see if they meet the criteria to be considered for the screening. Those who are qualified can make an appointment quickly and will typically be seen within one week.
Hackensack University Medical Center, a 771-bed nonprofit teaching and research hospital located in Bergen County, is the largest provider of inpatient and outpatient services in New Jersey.
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Dave Fornell has covered healthcare for more than 17 years, with a focus in cardiology and radiology. Fornell is a 5-time winner of a Jesse H. Neal Award, the most prestigious editorial honors in the field of specialized journalism. The wins included best technical content, best use of social media and best COVID-19 coverage. Fornell was also a three-time Neal finalist for best range of work by a single author. He produces more than 100 editorial videos each year, most of them interviews with key opinion leaders in medicine. He also writes technical articles, covers key trends, conducts video hospital site visits, and is very involved with social media. E-mail: dfornell@innovatehealthcare.com