MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif., Nov. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today marks the start of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) is urging the nation to demand better for patients by learning the risk factors and symptoms of a disease that is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States.
![There are still no early detection methods for pancreatic cancer. We must Demand Better. For Patients. For Survival. Join us during Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in raising awareness of the signs and risk factors of pancreatic cancer. Take action at http://pcan.at/DMB45. There are still no early detection methods for pancreatic cancer. We must Demand Better. For Patients. For Survival. Join us during Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in raising awareness of the signs and risk factors of pancreatic cancer. Take action at http://pcan.at/DMB45.](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zNCqfSA8wYU/hqdefault.jpg)
![November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Please join us as we Demand Better. For Patients. For Survival. Please take action today for everyone affected by pancreatic cancer. With your help, we will double survival by 2020! www.pancan.org/demandbetter](https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/594954/Pancreatic_Cancer_Action_Network_Demand_Better.jpg?w=400)
Pancreatic cancer is the only major cancer where survival rates are in the single digits – just 9 percent of people with the disease survive longer than five years. This year, more than 53,000 Americans will be diagnosed with the disease. That's more than 145 people who will hear the news every single day.
There is no screening test or early detection methods for pancreatic cancer. Most patients are diagnosed when the disease has spread outside of the pancreas and surgery is no longer an option. The lack of tools for early detection is part of what makes pancreatic cancer so deadly. However, the chances of survival increase tenfold if a patient is diagnosed in time for surgery.
"Education and awareness are crucial steps in combating the world's toughest cancer," said Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA, president and CEO of PanCAN. "Better progress for pancreatic cancer starts with disease education, which results in earlier detection and more treatment options."
Research studies have identified several risk factors that may increase the likelihood that someone will develop pancreatic cancer, including family history of the disease, diabetes, pancreatitis, smoking, obesity, race, age and diet.
Common symptoms of pancreatic cancer include abdominal or mid-back pain, unexplained weight loss, jaundice, loss of appetite, nausea, changes in stool and new-onset diabetes. These symptoms are often vague and are generally attributed to other less serious and more common conditions.
Learn more about the symptoms and risk factors of pancreatic cancer and how you can take action all month, including on World Pancreatic Cancer Day (Nov. 16) by visiting pancan.org/demandbetter. Follow PanCAN on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) is dedicated to fighting the world's toughest cancer. In our urgent mission to save lives, we attack pancreatic cancer on all fronts: research, clinical initiatives, patient services and advocacy. Our effort is amplified by a nationwide network of grassroots support. We are determined to improve patient outcomes today and to double survival by 2020.
Media Contact:
Michael Rosen
Chief Communications Officer
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Email: [email protected]
Direct: 646-844-1227
SOURCE Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
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