Pancreatic cancer is often a deadly disease that is usually detected at advanced stages, when treatment options are more limited. This type of cancer is becoming more common over time in developed countries. We know that pancreatic cancer takes many years to develop and grow within the body, yet there are no recommended screening measures currently available to detect this disease at its early stages.
This study aims to find new blood markers that are associated with a high risk of developing pancreatic cancer in the future. These markers will help doctors identify pancreatic cancer when it is microscopic and too small to be detected through routine methods such as imaging (before it can cause any symptoms).
To identify useful cancer markers, blood test data will be analysed from a large number of patients in the UK Biobank to see which lab markers are associated with the development of pancreatic cancer years after the blood testing. The ability of these markers to predict pancreatic cancer will be internally and externally validated in separate groups of patients to ensure they are accurate. Finding possible markers of very early pancreatic cancer will help us know which patients should have detailed annual screening with imaging such as MRI in a more cost-effective way. By identifying high risk patients with a blood test, we may be able to offer curative surgeries to remove cancers before they grow and become too advanced.