My mom and her sister both died of pancreatic cancer within the last six years. My mom was 79 and my aunt 81. I am 44 and want to know what, if anything, I can do to prevent it from happening to me.

S.A.

Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer is rarely curable because symptoms usually do not appear until the disease is advanced. Patients with pancreatic cancer typically suffer from abdominal pain, weight loss, poor appetite and jaundice. This disorder typically occurs later in life, generally after age 60.

Known risk factors for pancreatic cancer include smoking and the presence of chronic pancreatitis, an inflamed, scarred pancreas most often caused by chronic consumption of alcohol. So, obviously, if you smoke or drink alcohol, you should stop if you want to reduce your risk of pancreatic cancer. In some rare cases, pancreatic cancer appears to run in families. Studies have found that certain genetic mutations occur in most pancreatic cancers. Although it is an experimental technique at this time, some researchers have tried to detect this mutation in the pancreas before the development of obvious cancer. Unfortunately, this mutation is also present in patients with chronic pancreatitis, so it is not specific to cancer.

In cases such as yours, where a strong family history of pancreatic cancer exists, it would be a good idea to seek a consultation with a gastroenterologist who can make specific recommendations for possible future screening for this disease.