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Pancreatic Cancer Statistics

• Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States.1
• Pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate of all the major cancers. 95% of patients will die within
• five years of diagnosis and only 5% survive more than five years. 76% of patients with pancreatic cancer die within the first year of diagnosis. 1
• Since 1975, the five-year survival rate for the disease has only increased from 3% to 5%.2
• This year 42,470 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and 35,240 will die from the disease. 1
• The number of new pancreatic cancer cases and the number of deaths caused by pancreatic cancer are increasing – not decreasing. The expected annual number of new pancreatic cancer cases is projected to increase by 55% by the year 2030. 3
• The incidence of pancreatic cancer is 50% higher in African Americans than in any other racial group in the United States. 4

Few Defined Risk Factors

Only a few risk factors for pancreatic cancer are well defined:4

• Family history: A person’s risk increases by two- to three- fold when a first-degree relative is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
• Smoking: Risk increases by two-fold for smokers versus non-smokers.
• Age: A person’s risk of developing pancreatic cancer increases with age.
• Race: A disproportionate number of African Americans are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
• Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry: Pancreatic cancer is more common in Ashkenazi Jews than in the general population.
• Pancreatitis: Long-term inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) has been linked to pancreatic cancer. The reason for this association is not clear, but it is greatest in patients with inherited chronic pancreatitis.
• Diabetes: Adult-onset diabetes can be both a symptom of pancreatic cancer and a risk factor for developing the disease.
• Other risk factors under investigation include high-fat diet, obesity and lack of physical activity.

No Early Detection Methods

No early detection test or screening exam is currently available for pancreatic cancer.The disease is often diagnosed in late stages due to the location of the pancreas in the body and the lack of definitive symptoms. In fact, 52% of patients are diagnosed with advanced (metastatic) disease that has already spread to other organs.

Prognosis

Patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer typically have a poor prognosis partly because the cancer usually causes no symptoms early on, leading to metastatic disease at time of diagnosis. Median survival from diagnosis is around 3 to 6 months; 5-year survival is much less than 5%[7] With 32,180 new diagnoses in the United States every year, and 31,800 deaths, mortality approaches 99%, giving pancreatic cancer the highest fatality rate of all cancers and the fourth highest cancer killer in the United States amongst both men and women.

Pancreatic cancer occasionally may result in diabetes. Insulin production is hampered and it has been suggested that the cancer can also prompt the onset of diabetes and vice versa.

Prevention

Prevention of pancreatic cancer consists of avoiding risk factors when possible Cigarette smoking is considered to be the most significant and avoidable risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising may be helpful. Additionally, increasing consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while decreasing red meat intake is recommended by the American Cancer Society.

The relationship of overall fruit and vegetable consumption with pancreatic cancer has been questioned by several research groups. In 2006 a large prospective cohort study of over 80,000 subjects failed to prove a definite association. The evidence in support of this lies mostly in small case-control studies.

In September 2006, a long-term study concluded that taking Vitamin D can substantially cut the risk of pancreatic cancer (as well as other cancers) by up to 50%. More studies of this have been called for.

Several studies, including one published June 1, 2007, indicate that B vitamins such as B12, B6, and folate, can reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer when consumed in food, but not when ingested in vitamin tablet form.

Awareness

• November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
• Purple is the traditional color chosen to represent pancreatic cancer
• An estimated 52.7 million dollars was spent on pancreatic cancer research in 2004 of the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) cancer research budget. This is just 1% of the NCI’s 4.824 billion dollar cancer research budget for 2004.
• Despite the especially lethal nature of pancreatic cancer, the research spending per pancreatic cancer patient is only $1145, the lowest of any leading cancer.
• For a list of celebrities who have succumbed to this disease, see Category:Pancreatic cancer deaths
• The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) was created as an advocacy group for pancreatic cancer.
• The national charity Pancreatic Cancer UK works to raise awareness in the UK