Pankind welcomes the launch of a new blood test for pancreatic cancer now available privately in Australia, marking an encouraging step forward for early detection efforts. The test known as the Avantect Pancreatic Cancer Test has shown promising early signals and is being explored as an additional option for people who may be at higher risk of pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging cancers to detect early, with many people diagnosed only once symptoms appear and the disease is already advanced. That’s why new technologies that may detect pancreatic cancer earlier, when treatment options are more effective, are so important to investigate.
This is an exciting development, however it is not yet a replacement for existing surveillance.
- Michelle Stewart, Pankind CEO
A positive development, but not a replacement for clinical guidelines
While the new blood test represents progress, it is not yet a replacement for existing surveillance pathways recommended by specialist clinical guidelines. For people at higher risk due to genetic predisposition and/or family history, Australian guidelines currently recommend MRI and Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) as the “gold standard” tools for surveillance.
Pankind is encouraging people to view this new blood test as a potential additional tool rather than an alternative to established screening methods.
Pankind is keeping an eye on many different approaches to earlier detection, including blood tests and are monitoring the evidence about the effectiveness of these approaches.
Surveillance of high-risk individuals is an important area of focus and innovation like this can bring us one step closer to early detection, but until clinical trials are complete, we recommend this test be used alongside standard screening advice.
- Michelle Stewart, Pankind CEO
More research underway to confirm clinical value
The Avantect test has gained international attention due to its early performance indicators and has been selected for further evaluation in major studies including PRECEDE and the Vanguard study. These trials will be important in confirming how well the test performs in real-world settings, who benefits most, and how it could be implemented safely and effectively within clinical care.
Although peer-reviewed evidence exists, clinical trials must be completed before this type of testing can be embedded into clinical guidelines and integrated into the Australian health system.
What Australians should know about access and regulation
At this stage, the Avantect test is available privately, meaning people can choose to access it by paying out of pocket. The current price listed is $1,495, with the expectation that costs may reduce over time as the technology evolves and broader implementation is considered.
Pankind’s advice: speak with clinicians before making decisions
We advise to people considering this test is to seek clinical guidance, particularly if they believe they may be at increased risk.
If you’ve received a result or are considering testing, it’s recommended you speak with qualified clinicians and ensure any decisions align with standard surveillance guidelines.
We encourage anyone concerned about pancreatic cancer risk to explore trusted pathways for support, including checking family history risk and speaking with appropriate specialist services.
For the full article in The Australian you can read it here.
Professor Steve Robson, who has a high family incidence of the disease, wrote for The Australian, you can read his story here.
Check your family risk
By answering a few quick questions about your family history, we can check your family risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
Our Family History Checker is a free, online tool that helps individuals identify inherited risk factors and, where appropriate, connect with screening programs like APRISE. It’s a simple but powerful tool, designed to help close the gap between research and real-world access.
