I would feel so much better if he had a cancer screening every few years due to his family history. How would we go about having this done?

Question

Hello, My husband recently lost 2 uncles to Pancreatic Cancer and 1 to cancer of the liver. Over the past year he has been having digestive problems along with cramping. He has gone through many tests including 2 MRIs and no signs of cancer show on the results. I would still feel so much better if he had a cancer screening every few years due to his family history. How would we go about having this done? Is this something that insurance would pay for?

Accepted Answer

Hi, sorry there are no recommended screening tests for pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately this results in the disease being found late and hence the diagnosis being made. Your insurance company will likely disagree with any tests ordered and will likely not pay for it unless he is having abdominal pain or discomfort unexplained by normal tests. You may be able to pay for the test yourself - however it will likely be expensive & your doctor will have to agree to order it for you. A high resolution CAT scan of the pancreas and a blood test called a CA-19.9 is what I normally order to monitor those with pancreatic cancer. 
Thanks,  
Simeon Jaggernauth, DO. 
 http://www.DRJAG.com

I would feel so much better if he had a cancer screening every few years due to his family history. How would we go about having this done?

Expert answer