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"Everyone has their own perspective/experiences/story."

[F] also, yet each promising treatment seems to fail when reaching later trial stages...
... and while not generally perceived as a rodent, this story appears promising! Ranked by Pancreatic Cancer Type (Ascending by Pain Deviation/Severity)
Pain deviation refers to how much pain deviates from "common" (i.e., higher prevalence/intensity = greater deviation toward more pain; lower = less pain/more painless cases). Ranked from least to most painful based on studies (prevalence of pain-free patients, moderate-severe pain rates):
   ● 1. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs)
      → Lowest pain deviation. Pain is not a key symptom; ~59-64% pain-free (even in high-stage), with low rates of moderate-severe pain (~0-8%). Often incidental or hormone-driven symptoms dominate.

   ● 2. Other/rare exocrine types (e.g., ampullary cancer, some IPMN)
      → Moderate-low pain; many painless (~50-60%), pain when present is mild-moderate from mass effect.

   ● 3. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)/adenocarcinoma
      → Highest pain deviation among major types. ~49% pain-free in some studies, but pain present in 60-80% at diagnosis (rising to 90% advanced), with 15-30% moderate-severe. Strongly associated with worse outcomes and requires aggressive management.

Note:
Pain varies by tumor location (e.g., body/tail more painful in some data), stage, and individual factors. Early-stage tumors may be painless; advanced/metastatic ones drive more pain across types. Always consult oncology/pain specialists for personalized management, as studies emphasize undertreatment is common.
Is Pancreatic Cancer Strongly Hereditary?
No – the large majority of cases are NOT hereditary.
Most pancreatic cancers (about 80–90%) are sporadic – caused by mutations that build up during a person’s lifetime, not inherited from parents.

● Lifetime risk in the general population:   ≈ 1.6%
● Most people with pancreatic cancer have no family history

When There IS a Hereditary Link
Roughly 5–10% of cases are linked to an inherited (germline) gene mutation that runs in families.
● → 10% is the most commonly cited figure for clearly hereditary cases
● → Up to 20–30% may have some genetic/familial contribution (including weaker or still-unknown factors)
● → In families with multiple close relatives affected, risk can be significantly higher

Important Inherited Syndromes & Genes
The following genetic conditions raise pancreatic cancer risk noticeably:
   ● BRCA2 mutation → strongest and most common hereditary link (risk ≈ 3–10%)
   ● PALB2 → similar increased risk
   ● ATM, CDKN2A, TP53 (Li-Fraumeni), STK11 (Peutz-Jeghers), Lynch syndrome genes

Risk Levels – Quick Summary
Family Situation Approximate Risk Increase
General population Baseline (~1.6% lifetime)
One first-degree relative affected ≈ 2–3 × higher
Two or more first-degree relatives affected 6–32 × higher (depending on number)
Known high-risk germline mutation (e.g. BRCA2) 3–10% lifetime risk or more

Bottom line:
Pancreatic cancer is not strongly hereditary for most people.
However, if you have multiple close relatives with pancreatic, breast, ovarian, or melanoma cancer, genetic counseling and testing can be very helpful.

Smileyface, I am sorry that your father suffered.

My father died of this as well. He was having problems with indigestion and stomach ache. From Diagnosis to death was 10 days. He had discomfort but not much pain, some perhaps at the end. (He laid down for an afternoon nap and passed.)

I had a friend when I worked and I looked at his eyes and told him that he had jaundice and needed to see a Doctor. He did not have any other obvious symptoms. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. They did a Whipple procedure on him and he spent the next 2 1/2 months of his life trying to heal from that surgery but never did.

I see that Foldspace has a chart regarding pancreatic cancer that discusses this. I am just glad that a treatment may have been developed.