SARASOTA, Fla. (May 28, 2026) – Bound by family and driven by hope, five sisters with a family history of pancreatic cancer recently underwent a new screening test at Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) to look for any pancreatic abnormalities that could later become cancer.
The sisters traveled together from their homes in south Florida to SMH’s Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute to become part of a research study evaluating LINFU (Low-Intensity Non-Focused Ultrasound), an emerging screening technology designed to help doctors identify precancerous changes in people at high risk for pancreatic cancer, but who have no signs or symptoms of the disease.
Commonly referred to as a “pap smear for the pancreas,” the novel screening combines FDA-cleared ultrasound and endoscopic technologies in a two-step, non-invasive outpatient procedure that allows doctors to collect pancreatic ductal cells and fluid to test for potential abnormalities.
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the nation’s most deadly cancers, largely because it is difficult to detect early. To support one another through the screening experience, the sisters scheduled their screenings on the same day, turning what could have been an anxious moment into one marked by strength, solidarity and purpose. Since losing their father to pancreatic cancer 10 years ago, at age 76, the sisters have worried about the hereditary risk to each other and their children.
“For families like ours, pancreatic cancer is always in the back of your mind,” said Silvia Jackson, 52, whose sisters Paula, Ana, Claudia and Monica range in age from 48 to 59. “We were so happy to be able to do this together. When our dad was diagnosed, it was such a gut-punch to us all, because it came out of nowhere. We were so afraid of getting bad news, going together made it easier.”
During their LINFU procedure, each sister received an intravenous injection of the hormone Secretin and a contrast agent, then underwent a painless, 15-minute ultrasound. The hormone injection stimulates the pancreas to release its normal digestive fluids, while the contrast agent helps create tiny bubbles that, combined with gentle ultrasound vibrations, dislodge cells from the lining of the pancreas. During the second step of the screening, SMH First Physicians Group gastroenterologist Mark Radetic, MD, performed an endoscopy to collect pancreatic secretions for testing. Because LINFU produces a much larger cell sample than traditional methods, pathologists can detect abnormalities that standard tests might miss.
While the advanced screenings can provide reassurance when samples are clear of anomalies, some patients with inconclusive or abnormal results may need additional diagnostic testing –
including MRI, CT scans, endoscopic ultrasound and other pancreatic imaging procedures – to assess whether the patient’s condition remains stable or requires treatment.
Kenneth Meredith, MD, chief of gastrointestinal oncology at SMH’s Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute and principal investigator of the local study, said the screening represents an important step forward in pancreatic cancer research.
“Before LINFU came along, we had no way to really screen for pancreatic cancer,” said Dr. Meredith, medical director of gastrointestinal oncology and a board certified gastrointestinal surgical oncologist with SMH First Physicians Group. “If we can pick up some of these pancreatic lesions as they are first developing, before they become malignant, we may potentially be able to cure patients before they ever develop pancreatic cancer.”
The research team will follow the sisters and other study participants over time, tracking future biopsies, surgery and other clinical outcomes, to evaluate whether earlier detection through LINFU could ultimately improve survival rates for high-risk patients.
For the five sisters, getting screened together transformed fear into empowerment. They recently learned that four are clear at this time, while one sister’s screening sample was deemed insufficient and will require repeat testing.
“We did this together, not only for ourselves and our children, but also for other families facing the same uncertainty,” Silvia said. “And in a way, it was a way of honoring our dad, because if he could have been screened for this, maybe he would still be with us today.”
To find out if you are eligible to participate in the local study, contact Sarasota Memorial’s research team at (941) 917-2225 or researchinstitute@smh.com. More information about the study is available here.
About the Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute
Located on the flagship Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Sarasota campus, the Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute serves as a premier hub for medical research and clinical innovation. With dedicated space for research, clinical innovation and graduate medical education, the Kolschowsky Institute provides a collaborative learning environment for physicians, nurses, researchers and students studying new treatments and mastering the latest tools and techniques in patient care. Through state-of-the-art simulation labs, hands-on training programs, and a robust portfolio of clinical studies, Sarasota Memorial and the Kolschowsky Institute play a vital role in advancing medical knowledge, improving patient outcomes, and shaping the future of healthcare in the region. For more information, visit: www.smh.com/research
About the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute at Sarasota Memorial
The Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute at Sarasota Memorial is a center of excellence that provides advanced cancer care across the entire continuum— from prevention, screening and diagnosis to advanced treatments, clinical trials and survivorship support. The Cancer Institute's world-class facilities include an 8-story oncology inpatient and surgical tower and outpatient Milman-Kover Cancer Pavilion on the Sarasota campus and an outpatient Radiation Oncology Center on SMH’s University Parkway care center. Learn more at www.smh.com/cancer.