Understanding pancreatic cancer early

This page aims to provide comprehensive information about pancreatic cancer, the associated risks, and how methods like the Galleri multi-cancer early detection test can help. 

The Galleri® test represents a breakthrough in cancer detection, offering significant advancements in cancer at an earlier stage. Galleri is a early detection test that uses a "fingerprint" to detect cancer single in a simple blood draw.1,2,3

The Galleri test does not detect a signal for all cancers and not all cancers can be detected in the blood. False positive and false negative results do occur. The Galleri test should be used in addition to healthcare provider recommended screening tests.

Doctor hcp lander left

The Galleri test does not detect a signal for all cancers and not all cancers can be detected in the blood. False positive and false negative results do occur. The Galleri test should be used in addition to healthcare provider recommended screening tests.

Risks Associated with Pancreatic Cancer4

Any man, or person born with a prostate, is at risk for developing prostate cancer, but there are factors that can increase your risk. Understanding how these factors apply to you might help you make decisions about screening for prostate cancer.

  • Age: The risk of pancreatic cancer increases with age, with most cases occurring in individuals over 65.
  • Genetic Predispositions: Inherited variants of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, which are linked to an increased risk of breast, ovarian, and other cancers in some families, can also increase prostate cancer risk in men (especially mutations in BRCA2).
  • Ethnicity: African Americans have a slightly higher incidence of pancreatic cancer compared to individuals of Asian, Hispanic, or Caucasian descent. The correlation is not clear, but non-Hispanic African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes, a known risk factor for pancreatic cancer.

Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer3

  • Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes, often accompanied by dark urine and light-colored or greasy stools. This occurs when a tumor blocks the bile duct, leading to a buildup of bilirubin in the body.​ Cancer Info Resources
  • Abdominal or Back Pain: Persistent pain in the upper abdomen or back, which may result from the tumor pressing on nearby organs or nerves.​
  • Unintended Weight Loss and Poor Appetite: Significant weight loss without trying and a noticeable decrease in appetite are common in pancreatic cancer patients.​
  • Nausea and Vomiting: If the tumor presses on the stomach, it can cause nausea, vomiting, and a feeling of fullness.​
  • Gallbladder or Liver Enlargement: A blocked bile duct can cause bile to accumulate, enlarging the gallbladder or liver. This may be detected during a physical exam or imaging tests.​ Cancer Info Resources
  • Blood Clots: Some individuals may develop blood clots in large veins, often in the legs, which can be an early sign of pancreatic cancer.​Cancer Info Resources+1Wikipedia+1
  • New-Onset Diabetes: Pancreatic cancer can impair the pancreas's ability to produce insulin, leading to diabetes. Symptoms include increased thirst, hunger, and frequent urination.​​

It's important to note that these symptoms can be caused by conditions other than pancreatic cancer. However, if you experience any of these symptoms, especially in combination, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional promptly. Early detection can significantly impact treatment options and outcomes.

Requesting Galleri

Available by prescription only

Ask your healthcare provider if the Galleri test is right for you. Our discussion guide can help start the conversation and includes a request form your provider can complete to place an order.

Download a Discussion Guide
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50+ types of cancer identified2

The Galleri test screens for a signal shared by over 50 cancer types, most lacking recommended screening tests.1,4 In a clinical study with a shared cancer signal, adding the Galleri test to recommended single-cancer screening approximately doubled the number of cancers detected with recommended screening alone.2

Today, doctors screen individually for 5 specific cancers — colorectal, lung (for those at risk), breast, cervical, and prostate. While these single-cancer screenings play an important role, adding the Galleri test allows you to go beyond these 5 cancers to screen for additional cancers, such as stomach and pancreatic.1,4*

Galleri is a screening test and does not diagnose cancer. Diagnostic testing is needed to confirm cancer. The Galleri test does not detect a signal for all cancers and not all cancers can be detected in the blood.

*Sensitivity in study participants with stomach cancer was 66.7% overall (16.7% for stage I, 50.0% stage II, 80% stage III, 100% stage IV), and pancreatic cancer was 83.7% overall (61.9% for stage I, 60.0% stage II, 85.7% stage III, 95.9% stage IV).

All Audience Multi Dectection

  1. US Preventive Services Task Force. A,B,C grade recommendations, cancer, screenings. [cited 2023 Oct 23]. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/topic_search_results
  2. American Cancer Society. Cancer facts & figures 2022. https://www.cancer.org/research/cancer-facts-statistics/all-cancer-facts-figures/cancer-facts-figures-2022.html [GRAIL, LLC. Data on file: GA-2021-0065]
  3. Klein EA, Richards D, Cohn A, et al. Clinical validation of a targeted methylation-based multi-cancer early detection test using an independent validation set. Ann Oncol. 2021 Sep;32(9):1167-77. doi: 10.1016/j.annonc.2021.05.806
  4. American Cancer Society. Prostate causes, risk factors and prevention https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/causes-risks-prevention.html