Pancreatic cancer researcher featured on new Leading Nebraska podcast

The University of Nebraska today released a new episode of its “Leading Nebraska” podcast series, featuring a University of Nebraska Medical Center researcher whose work is bringing new hope to families with a history of pancreatic cancer.

Christina Hoy, DNP, is the project coordinator for a UNMC study that could help lead to a blood test to screen for the deadly form of cancer, which has a five-year survival rate of less than 9 percent. There is currently no early detection method for the disease. Hoy and her team are studying individuals with a higher-than-average risk to develop pancreatic cancer, including those with a family history. Every six months, study participants answer questions and undergo blood draws – all with the hope of benefiting future generations of patients.

“There’s a lot of appreciation (among study participants). I think they are just so happy to be able to help in any way that they can, so that someone else down the road doesn’t have to deal with what they went through in terms of losing a family member to pancreas cancer,” Hoy says in the podcast.

Hoy’s work is one example of UNMC’s leadership in the fight against pancreatic cancer. Long known for its research and care in this area, UNMC last year created a Center of Excellence in Pancreatic Cancer to further enhance collaboration among researchers, clinicians and physician-scientists and attract even more top talent to the state.

“In terms of research in general and specifically pancreas cancer research, the University of Nebraska is like a diamond in our backyard, serving the state of Nebraska,” Hoy says. “This cancer doesn’t discriminate, so if the research we’re doing here is just a drop in the bucket, it’s so beneficial.”

NU launched the “Leading Nebraska” podcast last month to share stories of researchers, students and educators across the four campuses who are growing the state’s workforce and quality of life. New episodes of “Leading Nebraska” will be released monthly and will feature experts from UNMC, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Kearney and University of Nebraska at Omaha. Topics will include nursing, agricultural education, counterterrorism, healthcare, K-12 education, workforce development, cybersecurity and others.

Listeners may follow the “Leading Nebraska” podcast here.