Editor’s note: The “Research Spotlight” series is written by Dr. Anna Berkenblit, PanCAN’s Chief Scientific and Medical Officer. Each month, Dr. Berkenblit shares her insights into the latest news and research in pancreatic cancer. Follow Dr. Berkenblit on X and LinkedIn.

My Research Spotlight this month features a roundup of exciting and promising work over the past month related to improving outcomes for people facing pancreatic cancer.

New Patient-Facing Guidelines Related to Genetic Risk

Last month, I was encouraged to see an announcement from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) focused on developments within genetic testing. They released the NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Genetic Testing for Hereditary Breast, Ovarian, Pancreatic, and Prostate Cancer, which is available for free on their website. This newly published guide supplements a recently updated version designed for healthcare professionals and aims to educate patients on the role of genetic testing in accessing cancer risk and guiding treatment decisions. Genetic testing is important because it can help identify genetic mutations that can increase the risk of developing cancers, such as pancreatic cancer. Approximately 10-15% of pancreatic cancers have hereditary components, and this resource provides important information and guidance for patients and doctors. We at PanCAN strongly encourage all patients with pancreatic cancer to undergo genetic testing for inherited mutations as well as tumor biomarker testing as soon as possible after diagnosis. Both tests can help identify treatment options that may benefit that particular patient, and genetic testing can also reveal whether family members may be considered at risk. The new NCCN guidelines will also benefit people who may have a family history of pancreatic or other related cancers by outlining screening recommendations for early detection. By understanding their risk factors, individuals can take an active role in their healthcare decisions. 

PanCAN’s Early Detection Initiative (EDI)

I am thrilled to share PanCAN’s EDI completed enrollment of over 8,800 participants. Through this initiative, we are looking at the relationship between new onset diabetes (high blood sugar) and the development of pancreatic cancer, with the goal of developing a screening method in high-risk people with new onset diabetes that detects pancreatic cancer when it can be surgically removed.  We look forward to sharing data from 1-year and 3-year follow up as participants continue in the study. We are hopeful that insights from the Early Detection Initiative will improve outcomes by leading to implementation of a screening strategy in people with new onset diabetes at high risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic Cancer Disparities

As we celebrate Black History Month, this is an opportunity for us to look at ways to address health equity for the Black communities. We know that Black Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and have higher incidence of pancreatic cancer diagnoses and a higher mortality rate from the disease compared to other racial and ethnic groups in the U.S.  While the five-year relative survival for all pancreatic cancer patients remains at 13%, for Black people with pancreatic cancer it remains at 11%, consistent with the disparities seen for cancer overall.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) released new data on this population in the Cancer Statistics for African American and Black People, 2025. According to the report, an estimated 4,170 Black men and 4,740 Black women are expected to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year, and an estimated 3,040 Black men and 3,210 Black women are predicted to die from the disease this year.

The pancreatic cancer incidence rate (frequency of diagnoses per 100,000 people in a population) is higher for Black people in the U.S. than any other racial or ethnic group. The pancreatic cancer incidence rate for Black men is 18.1 per 100,000, compared to 15.4 per 100,000 for White men, and the incidence rate for Black women is 15.4 per 100,000, compared to 11.8 per 100,000 for White women. Additionally, the difference in pancreatic cancer death rates among Black and White people are 15.3 vs. 13.2 per 100,000 in men and 12.3 vs. 9.8 per 100,000 in women. Pancreatic cancer is diagnosed more frequently and causes disproportionately more deaths in the Black and African American population. While we still don’t know why the incidence rate of pancreatic cancer and many other cancers is higher for Black Americans, or the cause(s) of this disparity, the report states, “Reasons for continuing disparities largely reflect the direct and indirect effects of structural racism, including biases in the health care system and inequitable health care access. Even when treatment is available, patients with limited financial resources may face nonmedical barriers, such as the lack of transportation, the inability to take time off from work, and other logistical challenges.”

Advocating for Federal Funding on Capitol Hill

Progress toward overcoming health disparities and improving outcomes for all people affected by pancreatic cancer relies on research funding. Roughly 80% of all pancreatic cancer research is funded by the federal government. Earlier this month I joined PanCAN President and CEO Julie Fleshman on Capitol Hill to advocate for continued federal funding in the wake of news coming out of the new administration. We must ensure that scientists have the resources they need to drive progress and improve outcomes. I am grateful to the advocates, our congressional champions, and the new members joining us in this fight! We will keep pushing forward — because patients can’t wait, and we want to make sure that Congress understands the vital role they play in funding life-saving cancer research and the devastating impact any threat to federal research funding could have on progress for this disease. While we continue to monitor the recent executive actions, now is the time to contact your members of Congress and tell them the critical role they play in funding life-saving research. Learn more about how you can be a PanCAN Advocate by visiting pancan.org/advocacy.