USPSTF 2019 recommends against screening for pancreatic cancer in asymptomatic adults (D recommendation)

Reference

US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for pancreatic cancer. US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA 2019;322(5):438-444.

Synopsis

The Task Force previously concluded that the harms of screening for pancreatic cancer exceed any potential benefits. In this updated review, the Task Force found no new evidence that screening for pancreatic cancer or treatment of screen-detected pancreatic cancer improves morbidity or reduces disease-specific mortality or all-cause mortality. In addition, the harm of screening from false positive-tests and treatment for screen-detected pancreatic cancer is at least moderate. Thus, the Task Force concludes there is no change in the prior D recommendation. This recommendation does not apply to persons at high risk of pancreatic cancer due to an inherited genetic syndrome (e.g. Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, hereditary pancreatitis) or due to a history of familial pancreatic cancer. Other potential risk factors including new-onset or preexisting diabetes, age, smoking, obesity, or a history of chronic pancreatitis are not considered high risk conditions and the recommendation to not screen includes these patients. No organization currently recommends screening for pancreatic cancer in asymptomatic adults.