@tomrennie I believe gamaryanne is referring to "somatic" mutations which are picked up during a person's life, and "germline" mutations which you are born with. My acinar cell pancreatic cancer is definitely due to a germline mutation. From what I've read, the verdict is still out on which type of mutation causes more cancer. I would welcome any information to further clarify the issue. Mine as BRCA 2 and both my sons were tested and neither had it. My next oldest brother had the BRCA 2 mutation and is battling prostate cancer. My oldest brother did not have the mutation and had the whipple surgery for ductal cell pancreatic cancer 16 yrs. ago and is still with us. I wish I had the medical background to understand the issue further.