Be thankful for today, because in one moment, your entire life could change.
Pancreatic cancer is a disease in which healthy cells in the pancreas stop working correctly and grow out of control. These cancerous cells can build up and form a mass called a tumor. A cancerous tumor is malignant, meaning it can grow and spread to other parts of the body. As it grows, a pancreatic tumor can affect the function of the pancreas, grow into nearby blood vessels and organs, and eventually spread to other parts of the body through a process called metastasis.
It’s estimated that 50% + of pancreatic cancer patients are diagnosed when the condition is already metastatic – meaning it has spread to other parts of the body. Pancreatic cancer does not discriminate. It is sometimes called a “silent cancer” since it takes time to present any symptoms and is often untreatable once detected.
Why Is Pancreatic Cancer Hard to Find Early?
Tumors are generally not felt due to the positioning of the pancreas and the difficulty reaching it. Moreover, pancreatic cancer symptoms generally only display symptoms when the tumor becomes large enough to interfere with other organs. Sadly, by this time, it’s often too late.
Why Is Early Detection Important?
Pancreatic cancer is most treatable in its early stages. The earlier pancreatic cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances are for long-term control of the disease. Earlier detection means more patients could be eligible for surgery to remove their tumor, which could lead to significantly higher survival rates.
Patients of pancreatic cancer are HIGHLY encouraged to participate in clinical trials. By participating in clinical trials, patients would be closely monitored and have the possibility of getting the newest drugs available, in addition to the current standard of care drugs, which can possibly give a better outcome.
Understand What Your Diagnosis Means
When developing a treatment plan with your healthcare team, here are some good questions to ask:
- What treatment(s) do you recommend? Why?
- Are there any clinical trials available to me locally?
- Do you provide molecular profiling to help determine additional treatment options?
- Do you provide genetic testing to help determine treatment options?
- What are the potential benefits and risks of each of my treatment options?
- What blood tests, scans or other tests will I need during my treatment? How often?
- What are the possible side effects of my treatment options? How likely are they to occur and can they be managed?
- How can I expect to feel during the treatment?
How You Can Help Early Detection Research
Sadly, despite its lethality, pancreatic cancer receives less federal research funding than nearly all of the top 10 deadliest cancers. That’s why more research is urgently needed.
No matter what the statistics say, there is always a way. As a non-profit supporting PRECEDE Consortium – a spectacular group of clinicians, researchers, patients, biopharmaceutical and technology companies around the world, we are dedicated to preventing and ending pancreatic cancer! Our life-saving studies and research programs will IMPROVE:
1) Early detection for pancreatic cancer
2) Screening for pancreatic cancer
3) Risk modeling for pancreatic cancer
4) Prevention for those with a heritable risk for pancreatic cancer.
Our Current Goal
To raise funds to support The Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection (PRECEDE) Consortium – an international, multi-institutional collaborative consortium of world renowned experts in pancreatic cancer.
Your donations WILL help save lives. Visit www.trovanow.com to learn how you can get involved and donate today.
