A Message From Our Program Leader
HonorHealth’s Early Detection Pancreatic Cancer Program is designed for individuals at higher risk. Through advanced screening, research, genetic testing, and expert multidisciplinary care, we aim to detect pancreatic cancer early—when treatment is most effective.
About Our Early Detection Pancreas Program
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, commonly known as pancreatic cancer, is the third-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., and rates continue to rise, according to the CDC. Early detection is challenging because most early-stage tumors don’t cause symptoms and often go undiagnosed. As a result, over half of patients are diagnosed after the cancer has spread, limiting treatment options. However, when detected early—while still localized to the pancreas—the five-year survival rate significantly improves. Currently, there are no low-cost, safe, and accurate tools for early-stage detection.
Under the leadership of Erkut Borazanci, MD, MS, medical oncologist, clinical investigator, HonorHealth’s Early Detection Pancreatic Cancer Program is designed for individuals at higher risk due to genetic factors, family history, or pancreatic cysts. Led by expert researchers, the program offers advanced screening, genetic testing, and multidisciplinary care to identify cancer early and improve outcomes.
Pancreas Early Detection Facts and Figures
Less than 15% of patients are diagnosed at a stage when the cancer can be surgically removed. Most cases are found after the disease has spread, limiting treatment options.
Only 13% of pancreatic cancer patients survive more than five years. It is the third-leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
Unlike breast or colon cancer, there are no standard screening tests for pancreatic cancer. HonorHealth is developing innovative blood and biomarker tests, including RNA panels, to detect cancer before symptoms appear.
Early Detection Pancreas Cancer Clinical Trials
The HonorHealth Research Institute is actively involved in several cutting-edge clinical trials focused on the early detection of pancreatic cancer. These include the Biomarker Pancreatic Cancer Study, an international NIH-supported effort to identify biological markers that signal the presence of pancreatic cancer before symptoms arise. As a member of the Pancreatic Cancer Detection Consortium (PCDC), HonorHealth collaborates with leading researchers and clinicians to advance diagnostic methods. Additional studies include the Transrenal Study, in partnership with Boston Children’s Hospital, which investigates unique proteins found in individuals with pancreatic cancer, and a microbiome study with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute that explores how changes in gut bacteria may be linked to cancer development. These initiatives reflect HonorHealth’s commitment to improving outcomes through early detection and personalized care.