Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) Introduces the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act (S. 3320)

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May 06, 2010, 12:53 ET

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., May 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, the only national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure, applauds U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) for the introduction of S. 3320, the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act which focuses on reducing mortality for pancreatic cancer, the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. S. 3320 is the companion bill to H.R. 745, introduced in January 2009 by Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL).

"There is an urgent need for the federal government to take action against pancreatic cancer, the only major cancer in our country with a five year survival rate still in the single digits at just 5 percent," stated Julie Fleshman, president and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. "We salute Sen. Whitehouse for his leadership in introducing the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act in the U.S. Senate and for his commitment to change the course of this deadly disease."

"Pancreatic cancer is a terrible disease with survival rates that have not significantly improved in decades," said Whitehouse. "This bill makes vital investments in National Institutes of Health research into new treatments and represents a renewed federal commitment to fight back against pancreatic cancer."

The Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act will ensure that the National Cancer Institute takes the necessary steps to address the mortality of pancreatic cancer by developing a strategic plan targeting the disease so patient outcomes will improve in the years to come. Last year, over 42,000 Americans were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and over 35,000 died. 76 percent of pancreatic cancer patients die within the first year of diagnosis because there are no early detection methods or effective treatment options.

On June 22, over 400 advocates will join the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network on Capitol Hill to meet with Members of Congress to ask for support of the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act and to make pancreatic cancer research a priority. To learn more, visit www.pancan.org.

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the only national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure. The organization raises money for direct private funding of research—and advocates for more aggressive federal research funding of medical breakthroughs in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network fills the void of information and options by giving patients and caregivers reliable, personalized information they need to make informed decisions. We create a sense of hope and community so no one has to face pancreatic cancer alone. The organization helps support individuals and communities all across the country work together to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for pancreatic cancer.

SOURCE Pancreatic Cancer Action Network