Yahoo News 'I would have developed cancer if it wasn't for groundbreaking research'
As a child, Adam Eshborn suffered with symptoms of pancreatitis and struggled with chronic pain and digestive symptoms from the age of 10.
Discovering it was hereditary, members of Adam's family also suffered with similar symptoms and the father of two from Catterall, decided to take part in a ground-breaking cancer research study, EUROPAC. The study and programme started in 1997 to register family groups with a history of pancreatic cancer or inherited pancreatic conditions.
80% of pancreatic patients are diagnosed at the most advanced stages of the disease, making it one of the lowest survival rates of all cancers. The symptoms of pancreatic cancer are hard to detect and some even have no symptoms at all.
READ MORE: Man was unlawfully killed by friend who restrained him at his 40th birthday party, inquest finds
READ MORE: Man slapped with banning order after what he did at Tesco and Matalan
51-year-old Adam said: “I decided to take part in the trial just before I was due to be married. We knew we wanted to start a family, so I started to take my health more seriously.
“I decided it was important to look into my condition, I remember being in a lot of pain as a child, but as I grew up this began to get better, so I stopped thinking about it as much. I did, however continue to have digestive issues into my adulthood.”
The pancreas is involved in digestion by secreting digestive enzymes to break down foods whilst also producing hormones such as insulin to regulate blood sugars. Adam continued: “During the registration and testing process I discovered I had a fault in my PRSS1 gene, which is why I developed pancreatitis so young.”
One in 10 cases of pancreatic cancers can be linked to hereditary conditions such as PRSS1 gene mutations which means the pancreas is unable to break down a certain enzyme, damaging the pancreas and can eventually lead to cancer. The trial for Adam, who is a keen runner and keeps as fit as possible, means he attends a screening each year which monitors his condition and the general health of his pancreas.
This trial is separated into two - one is the registry providing clinical professionals with information of patients most at risk and the other is passing this information to EUROPACS’ national multidisciplinary team (MDT) who look over it and decide whether they should be admitted to the second phase of the trial, a yearly screening programme.
Yearly scans include an MRI and camera ultrasound to watch for any changes in the pancreas. In 2020, Adam received a change in the results of his scans and was recommended to have his whole pancreas removed in a pancreatectomy.
Recommended the procedure by Professor Christopher Halloran, Honorary Consultant Pancreatic Surgeon at Royal Liverpool University Hospital and Professor of Pancreatic Surgery at the University of Liverpool, Adam underwent a total pancreatectomy at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, which confirmed a significant pre-cancerous area.
Fortunately, it was saved early enough to prevent it developing into pancreatic cancer or spreading further. Adam said: “It was a hard to adjust after the surgery. Without my pancreas, I was automatically diabetic, so learning to live with that and change my everyday life took a while.
“Up to now, nine people have been identified in my family as having the genetic condition that can cause this cancer, so I am incredibly lucky that the EUROPAC team spotted the signs early. I owe my life the EUROPAC trial and the team.”
Four years on from this and Adam is still getting used to life without a pancreas, including the side effects of the condition and the treatment. His two children have been tested for the PRSS1 condition when they were toddlers, with his 13-year-old son discovered to have the same condition as Adam.
Adam said: “Finding out our son had the same gene as me was scary, but we wanted to be prepared to help him if he started developing symptoms. It’s reassuring to know with help of EUROPAC, he will have the choice to be screened regularly and will have the best care possible, should he need it in the future.”
50,000 participants make up the EUROPAC trial across Europe, with 2,400 family groups. In the UK, 838 people have been referred to the screening programme.
Professor Halloran said: “EUROPAC along with its partners, NHS England, Pancreatic Cancer UK, Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance, the University of Liverpool and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, have developed systems with national reach to find treatable pancreatic lesions before they develop into cancer.”
“Adam’s story is a great example of the benefits of this programme, and how we can help save lives of people who could face this condition.
“In collaboration with Pancreatic Cancer UK, we have developed an amazing family history checking tool which allows any person, anywhere, if appropriate, to be referred to the EUROPAC study. We can then calculate an individual’s risk of developing pancreatic cancer, which is then discussed with local specialists in our nationwide screening centres for their onward care.
“Pancreatic cancer is both devastating to the people it affects and to their families. Regrettably, in most cases, it is diagnosed at a late stage and is untreatable. With trials such as EUROPAC and the advancements being in this field, we have the chance to better the odds and increase the survival rate of this disease.”
