Earlier this month, President of PRECEDE Jamie Brickell was featured in Jewish Insider, sharing his cancer survival story and raising awareness for the Ashkenazi Jewish community. Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most deadly cancers, largely because it is often diagnosed late. But for people of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, genetic factors can increase the likelihood of developing this disease, making awareness and early detection all the more important.
Understanding the Risk
Research has shown that individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish descent carry certain inherited gene mutations—such as BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM, CDKN2A, and others—that raise the risk for several cancers, including pancreatic cancer.
These mutations are more common in Ashkenazi Jews than in the general population, which means that family history and ancestry can play a significant role in individual cancer risk, even in the absence of a known personal or family cancer history.
The Importance of Early Detection
Pancreatic cancer is notably silent in its early stages, often showing few symptoms until it is advanced. However, when detected early, such as when tumors are still small, survival chances improve dramatically.
PRECEDE and its international research partnership are at the forefront of efforts to improve early pancreatic cancer detection, assembling one of the largest global cohorts of high-risk individuals and driving innovations like advanced imaging and biomarker studies.
Taking Proactive Steps
Medical experts recommend that individuals with Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry consider germline genetic testing to better understand their risk. If testing reveals elevated risk, regular screening—typically with tools such as MRI or endoscopic ultrasound—may be appropriate.
Education and outreach are key to helping communities understand that genetic risk doesn’t mean inevitability, and early screening can make a life-saving difference.
A Call for Awareness
Despite the elevated risk in some populations, awareness of pancreatic cancer risk within the Ashkenazi Jewish community has historically been limited. Leaders in research and survivorship are working to change that by sharing information about risk, screening options, and the value of early detection.
By encouraging open conversations with healthcare providers and by prioritizing genetic and screening awareness, we can help ensure more people get tested early and receive care when it stands the best chance of saving lives.
