QIMR Berghofer is seeking participants for the PaCNOD Pilot Study , a landmark research project looking into whether some people with a recent diabetes diagnosis would benefit from being screened for pancreatic cancer.
In rare cases, developing diabetes later in life can be an early warning sign of pancreatic cancer. While most adults diagnosed with diabetes have common type 2 diabetes, in a very small proportion (around 1 in 175 adults over the age of 50) diabetes is caused by a tumour in the pancreas. Because pancreatic cancer
is often detected too late for effective treatment, researchers hope earlier investigation might one day improve survival outcomes.
The PaCNOD Pilot Study (Pancreatic Cancer New Onset Diabetes Study) is the first phase of a research study that aims to find out whether screening people newly diagnosed with diabetes for pancreatic cancer provides meaningful benefit. The full-scale trial will be highly complex, costly, and logistically demanding, so researchers must first run a pilot study to refine the study processes, test feasibility, and ensure that the eventual large‑scale trial can be conducted successfully and deliver reliable results.
QIMR Berghofer's Cancer Aetiology and Prevention Laboratory Senior Group Leader and PaCNOD Study lead Professor Rachel Neale says it's a first step towards understanding what processes can be taken towards diagnosing pancreatic cancer before it has spread outside the pancreas.
"Pancreatic cancer is notoriously difficult to detect early, and by the time symptoms appear, treatment options are often sadly very limited. If screening people when they are diagnosed with diabetes proves feasible and beneficial, it could transform outcomes for these higher-risk patients," Professor Neale said.
"By registering for the PaCNOD Pilot Study, you will help us make progress toward understanding how we might detect pancreatic cancer earlier and potentially save lives in the future," Professor Neale said.
The researchers would like to acknowledge the support from Pankind ( Pancreatic Cancer Australia ) in helping launch the pilot study.
Who is eligible?
Researchers would like to hear from people aged 55 years or older with a recent diabetes diagnosis who have a device to complete an online survey, have a Medicare card, and have not previously had pancreatic cancer or their pancreas removed for another reason.
How to register:
Registration information on the PaCNOD Pilot Study for patients and their doctors can be found here: https://www.qimrb.edu.au/studies/PACNOD
