Building a Next-Generation Early Detection Tool for Pancreatic Cancer
An integrated blood and imaging approach for catching pancreatic cancer earlier.
February 9, 2026
Ayelet Borgida, Director, Medical & Health Initiatives
[A note from PCNA]
[We are grateful to be sharing the lived experience of Connor and Jen who have documented their personal journey with pancreatic cancer up until Connor’s passing in October 2024, to help other families cope with the challenges of this disease.
This blog article is from a series of content pieces written by these remarkable people.]
“At the Warren Y. Soper Charitable Trust, we believe that truly innovative research is the key to changing the future of diseases like pancreatic cancer. We are proud to provide the seed funding to launch this exciting initiative. With the potential to transform early detection, this research brings together some of the brightest minds on the continent to drive real change for this devastating cancer.”
- Fraser Elliott, Trustee the Warren Y. Soper Charitable Trust
Pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage when treatment options are limited, and survival rates are low. Finding the disease early, when surgery is still possible, offers the best chance for long-term survival and a possible cure.
Unfortunately, current detection methods often miss pancreatic cancer in its early stages. Screening everyone isn’t practical because the disease is rare, which could lead to many false alarms, unnecessary worry and invasive medical procedures. Instead, screening efforts are focused on individuals at higher risk.
Most early detection research for pancreatic cancer has relied on either blood tests or imaging scans. This project takes a new approach by using both. Led by Dr. Eugene Koay, Scientific Director, the Ahmed Centre for Pancreatic Cancer Research at MD Anderson Cancer Center, the study uses blood samples from thousands of individuals recently diagnosed with diabetes, a known risk factor for pancreatic cancer. In parallel, AI is being used to examine CT scans obtained months or even years before a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, allowing researchers to study subtle pancreatic changes that may not be detectable with standard imaging.
The goal of the study is to develop an integrated tool, using blood and imaging, that helps identify people at risk and detect pancreatic cancer earlier. If successful, this approach could be rapidly integrated into clinical trials and routine care since it relies on tests and scans already widely used in hospitals. Because pancreatic cancer is typically diagnosed at an advanced stage, early detection represents one of the most promising pathways to improving treatment effectiveness and survival rates.
To mark World Pancreatic Cancer Day (November 20, 2025), we hosted Dr. Koay for a special virtual event, where he shared expert insights and answered questions from our community about this innovative research and the evolving landscape of pancreatic cancer diagnosis and treatment. Watch the conversation here.
