Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

@gamaryanne What is the difference between a gene mutation and genetics? I personally get confused about them. I think gene mutations are environmentally influenced where genetics are something you are born with? Am I close?

@linda86 physicians say that this cancer is predominantly caused by gene mutations that happen during our lifetime, and not as much due to genetics.. however, it does happen. They could ask their Internal medicine doctor to have genetic testing done. It’s not invasive . Very easy. It won’t say “pancreas cancer” but it will show if they have genes that make them predisposed to GI cancers (or others)

I don’t know if I qualify but my husband died of pancreatic cancer on April 25, 2000. I have 3 sons and I worry about them. Does a person inherit the gene or what ever to be in danger of also getting this disease’ ( also 9 grand and 14 great grandchildren)

@linda86 Sorry to hear about your husband, and I can relate to your concerns. Has anyone in the family had any genetic testing done?

@gmapri I am so addicted to these I get the 27 ounce bag 🙂 They are by St. Claire & they also have different flavors, but mine are these and I asked the oncologist I had at first if the ingredients were okay.

@199 Which of the Tummy Smoothers are you using that are helpful?

I don’t know if I qualify but my husband died of pancreatic cancer on April 25, 2000. I have 3 sons and I worry about them. Does a person inherit the gene or what ever to be in danger of also getting this disease’ ( also 9 grand and 14 great grandchildren)

@199 I am very encouraged to read about your success with Gemcitabine and Abraxane. I am trying to calculate how long it took for you to receive 85 treatments with your schedule. Certainly a few years. But you have most certainly defied your doctor's initial predictions and have hung in there through many ups and downs. My husband is having his 4th infusion tomorrow, but has already lost a great deal of weight. I'm concerned that this may slow his progress in chemotherapy or halt it altogether, since he looks almost skeletal to me. He is eating as much as he can stomach, but nothing seems to "stick." Did you ever face that challenge with weight loss? Perhaps it is not as huge an issue as I fear. I will be asking his oncologist what she thinks.

@cjcurtis I started chemo with gemcitabine & Abraxane July 22, 2022 & stopped for this break December 18, 2025, with another break of 4 months in the middle, so 41 then 44 treatments. I have to say my problem has never been weight loss, rather I gained weight! My cancer was detected in the tail, so I am not sure if that has any bearing on the weight issue. Small frequent meals work best. Since my husband cooks, I try to eat as much as I could but lately, I have been telling him to slow down on the portions. When I look back at photos of what a plate looked like in 2022 and now there is a big difference in the amount on the plate. I have been using "St. Claire Tummy Soothers" (from them directly or Amazon). I don't know if these herbs are the help but I will not give them up! They have been a staple for me since 2022!