EmpowerED Webinar 5: Genetic Testing and Inherited Pancreatic Cancer Risk

 Tanya Dwarte
 Clinical Research Coordinator & Associate Genetic Counsellor
 Garvan Institute of Medical Research

Tanya Dwarte, Associate Genetic Counsellor and Clinical Research Coordinator at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research will discuss genetics and pancreatic cancer. 

Her presentation will highlight the current understanding of sporadic and inherited forms of pancreatic cancer and provide an overview of inherited cancer syndromes and the associated pancreatic cancer risks. Information about the process of a genetics assessment, including consideration of genetic testing for pancreatic cancer patients or for those with a family history of the disease will be addressed. This will include brief discussions about some of the potential benefits and potential limitations or harms of genetic testing.

The presentation will then introduce the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Screening Program, a research study that aims to identify individuals who have a higher chance of developing pancreatic cancer because they have been found to have a faulty gene or syndrome, or due to their family history. This study is investigating the potential clinical benefit of endoscopic ultrasound and MRI to detect early signs of pancreatic cancer to improve patient outcomes.