What everyone should know…
There is always hope!
There are several points that we need to emphasize. First, and foremost, there is always hope! Although the statistics associated with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer can be daunting, we sincerely believe that there is always hope. This hope takes many forms; from the love and caring of family and friends, to good clinical responses to treatment, to the sincere belief in a brighter future through pancreatic cancer research. There is always hope.
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death for both men and women.
- Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly of all types of cancer.
- This year 44,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and about 38,000 will die from it.
- Despite the high mortality rate, the federal government spends woefully little money on pancreatic cancer research
Pancreatic cancer is treatable when caught early; the vast majority of cases are not diagnosed until too late.
- Five-year survival rates approach 25% if the cancers are surgically removed while they are still small and have not spread to the lymph nodes.
Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose
- There is no reliable screening test for the early detection of pancreatic cancer.
- Symptoms are often vague and easily confused with other diseases.
- We need to invest in the development of an effective screening test.
Who Has the Greatest Risk?
- People with two or more relatives who have had pancreatic cancer (see National Familial Pancreas Tumor Registry)
- Cigarette Smokers
- People of Ashkenazi Jewish descent
- Have the BRCA2, p16, STK11 gene mutation or chronic pancreatitis
- Are over the age of 50