According to a story from PR Newswire, pancreatic cancer rates in the US are increasing by almost two percent each year. This puts the disease in position to become the second most frequent cause of cancer-related deaths in the country by 2020. This deadly cancer continues to have very poor survival rates and it is likely that aspects of the modern US diet and lifestyle, such as heavy red and processed meat consumption and increasing rates of diabetes and obesity, are contributing to the rise in number of annual cases.
About Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most dangerous forms of cancer. The disease affects the pancreas, which is a glandular organ that is situated behind the stomach. Part of the reason that pancreatic cancer is so dangerous is that it rarely produces noticeable symptoms until it has reached an advanced stage and begun to spread. However, even when detected earlier, it is difficult to treat effectively. Risk factors for pancreatic cancer include being male, old age, African-American ancestry, family history, smoking, obesity, diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, and a diet heavy in red meat, processed meat, or meat cooked at very high temperatures. Symptoms include depression, upper abdominal pain, jaundice, diabetes, constipation, weight loss, and appetite loss. Treatment approaches for this cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Even with heavy treatment, pancreatic cancer almost always returns. The five year survival rate is just five percent. To learn more about pancreatic cancer, click here.
Better Therapies Urgently Needed
Even the most optimistic projections put the five year survival rate for pancreatic cancer at a paltry nine percent. Julie Fleshman, who is the CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), says that while there is some headway being made in finding more effective treatments for pancreatic cancer the need for improvements is dire.
“There is an urgent need for more funding and awareness to move the needle.” – Julie Fleshman, CEO of PanCAN
Some of the latest drugs introduced to the market last year have some efficacy for pancreatic cancer patients. There have also been some advancements in early detection and prevention strategies that help identify people who are the greatest risk.
Pancreatic cancer patients may want to consider entering clinical trials in order to treat their disease if at all possible.
To learn more about the activities of PanCAN, click here.
