To the editor:

First I want to thank all the wonderful people who contributed to pancreatic cancer research on behalf of my husband who died from this disease over 2 years ago. The outpouring of support from this community has been so helpful and our family truly appreciates all the kindness shown.

That being said I also don't want another family to experience what we went through. Peter had gone to

his doctor and asked to be checked for pancreatic cancer as he was having stomach issues, knew someone who recently died from this disease and was becoming pre-diabetic. The doctor said there was no screening test for this type of cancer. But once Peter became jaundiced we learned there are all sorts of tests they can do.

First he had an MRI then twice a month had a CA-19-9 blood test which shows a protein that is shed by tumor cells. He also had ultrasounds and CAT scans. Everyone should know there ARE screenings! A small subset of the population may not be able to use the CA-19-9 but for most it's a decent screening tool and better than nothing! And if a doctor is reading this that knows of a better screen please let the public know.

My husband's cancer had never metastasized so if we had gotten it just a bit earlier it could have made a big difference. More people are now dying annually from pancreatic cancer than breast cancer even though more

people get breast cancer. It's because women get annual mammograms for screening.

I'm sure insurance companies didn't originally want every woman in America to get mammograms annually but women pushed back and now it's considered routine. The CA-19-9 test can be done every 6-12 months with your regular bloodwork. It's not an invasive procedure and not that expensive. And costs will go down the more its utilized. Please demand this test from your doctor - it might save your life.

Meg Clements

Barrington