New research is underway at Nuvance Health on pancreatic cancer that underscores the importance of people being screened early.

Pancreatic cancer often does not have symptoms until a person is in the very late stages of the disease.

Dr. Richard Frank is leading a clinical trial that uses MRI imaging to search for tiny signs of pancreatic cancer in people with a strong family history or genetic predisposition, which includes the BRCA gene.

Dr. Frank says Nuvance is the first community site to conduct this type of study.

He tells News 12 because there is no way to cure Pancreatic cancer, doctors and patients have to catch it early.

"Twenty percent of all those who undergo surgery are cured," Dr. Frank says. "With early detection you can double that to 40%."

Dr. Frank and his team are also working on a clinical trial that will help develop a blood test to detect biomarkers of pancreatic cancer that could be used to screen anyone.

Anyone interested in participating in the trial or looking for more information is asked to call 203-855-3551.