EUROPAC study

We are aware that EUROPAC will not be accepting new people from 1st January 2026. We have information about inherited risk of pancreatic cancer. If you are worried you may be at higher risk because of a family history, discuss this with your GP. You could ask to be referred to a genetics clinic.

We understand that this may be worrying for people already receiving surveillance through EUROPAC, however, please be reassured that this should continue as normal.

What is the EUROPAC study?

Pancreatic cancer can sometimes run in families, and a small number of rare genetic conditions are linked to a higher risk of pancreatic cancer. The European Registry of Familial Pancreatic Cancer and Hereditary Pancreatitis (EUROPAC) study is researching inherited risk of pancreatic cancer. Researchers hope to learn more about the genetic causes of pancreatic cancer.

There are two separate studies. One is looking at pancreatic cancer that runs in families (familial pancreatic cancer). The other is looking at hereditary pancreatitis.

If pancreatic cancer or pancreatitis run in your family, you and your family may be able to have regular monitoring through the EUROPAC study. Monitoring aims to spot any changes to the pancreas as early as possible.

Who can take part?

You may be able to take part in the familial pancreatic cancer study if you have:

• a family history of pancreatic cancer (more than one close relative with pancreatic cancer on the same side of your family)
• a genetic condition linked to pancreatic cancer in the family and have at least one case of pancreatic cancer in the family
• been diagnosed with Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome.

If I take part, what will it involve?

The EUROPAC team will start by assessing your health and your family history through detailed questionnaires. If this shows that the study is suitable for you, you can then decide if you want to take part.

Everyone is considered individually, but if you are monitored you could be offered:

• blood tests
• an EUS (endoscopic ultrasound)
• a CT (computed tomography) scan
• an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

If the tests suggest a possible problem, you may be offered continued monitoring or more tests to confirm the findings. You may be offered an operation if a growth is found that could be removed.

Hereditary pancreatitis study

The hereditary pancreatitis study aims to learn more about hereditary pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. In rare cases, pancreatitis can run in the family and this can increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

If you have hereditary pancreatitis and you want to take part in the study, you will talk to a genetic or pancreatic expert about your risk. Monitoring will involve blood tests and scans of your pancreas. If the tests suggest a possible problem, you may be offered continued monitoring or more tests to confirm the findings. You may be offered an operation if a growth is found that could be removed.

You can find out more on the EUROPAC website.

If you have any questions about pancreatic cancer, you can speak to our specialist nurses.

Published August 2025

To be reviewed August 2028