How Genetics Can Contribute to Pancreatitis
Every year, more than 300,000 Americans are diagnosed with acute or chronic pancreatitis. Did you know that many complex, chronic disorders such as pancreatitis, don’t have a single cause, and in many cases are un-explained? While most severe cases of pancreatitis are due to gallstones or alcohol abuse, sometimes genetics and other unknown factors are to […]
Understanding and Managing Pancreatitis: A Guide for Patients
Preparing For Your Genetic Counseling Appointment For Pancreatic Cancer
Who should consider genetic testing It is recommended that all individuals with exocrine pancreatic cancer are offered genetic testing, according to the most recent National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s genetic testing guidelines. Other indications for considering genetic testing include: a close family history of pancreatic cancer personal or family history of other cancers specific cancers in […]
Research at Ariel: An Exploration of Genetic Variants in 100 Pancreatitis Patients
Thanks to patients who volunteer for scientific research with Ariel. Ariel researchers continue to study and describe the genetic changes that may predispose to pancreatitis. In a new study led by Dr. Mitch Ellison published in the journal Pancreas, the team studied how combinations of genetic changes, or variants, might make people more susceptible to […]
How a Genetic Counselor Can Help You Navigate Genetic Testing
Genetic testing can be confusing. It is a rapidly changing field with a lot of terms and concepts that the average person doesn’t encounter often in everyday life. Sometimes the implications of test results are life-changing not only for the person tested, but also for their family. It can be challenging to navigate the testing […]
Why Are Some Genetic Risk Variants So Common?
From a genetic standpoint, humans are overwhelmingly similar. If you compare the DNA of two randomly chosen people, you’ll find that it is 99.9% identical. The variability in the remaining 0.1% is why we have differences in eye color, height, and the ability to digest milk into adulthood. This 0.1% is also why we have […]
Mother’s Day Genetics: How long does a mother “carry” a child?
On the second Sunday in May, Mother’s Day celebrates the women who care for us, the maternal bonds between mother and child, and the influence of mothers in society. Mothers come in all forms and what they instill in their children goes far beyond the childrens’ genetics. The founder of Mother’s Day in the US, […]
How Does Diabetes Increase Risk for Pancreatitis?
For the average person, the chance of getting acute pancreatitis is between 5 and 35 in 100,000 per year. The chance of chronic pancreatitis is between 5 and 12 in 100,000 per year. Relative to people without diabetes, people with diabetes have a 1.74-fold increased risk of acute pancreatitis, and 1.4-fold increased risk for chronic […]
Chronic Pancreatitis and Diabetes
25-80% of people with chronic pancreatitis will develop diabetes due to their condition. The specific diabetes is called type 3c diabetes, otherwise known as pancreatogenic diabetes.