Survey: More Americans Are Aware Of Pancreatic Cancer Than Ever Before

Significantly Higher Awareness Among Females, As Well As Northeast Residents

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Mar 27, 2018, 12:00 ET

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif., March 27, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More Americans know about pancreatic cancer now than in previous years, according to a survey commissioned by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN).

The omnibus survey, conducted by Russell Research in December 2017, measured awareness of pancreatic cancer as well as PanCAN, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting the world's toughest cancer via research, clinical initiatives, patient services and advocacy.

From the loss of the founder’s mother to the disease to the president’s father as well, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) was launched in 1999 to support the people fighting the world’s toughest cancer. See the women and men who are leading the charge for all those impacted by pancreatic cancer and the nationwide movement of patients, caregivers, volunteers and advocates who Wage Hope. Learn more at www.pancan.org.

When the survey asked respondents to name the first five types of cancer that came to mind, 24 percent of participants mentioned pancreatic cancer, up from 19 percent the previous year (December 2016). Additionally, 13 percent of those asked had heard of PanCAN.

"This trend toward increased familiarity of pancreatic cancer and PanCAN is encouraging," said Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA, the president and CEO of PanCAN. "Awareness plays an important role in meeting our goals to improve patient outcomes and double survival by 2020. Greater awareness means more people know about pancreatic cancer signs and symptoms, where to find specialists and how to obtain the very best treatment options, like clinical trials."

The greatest surges in awareness occurred with female respondents between the ages of 18 and 34 and among individuals who live in the Northeast.

In a previous wave of the survey in May 2017, only 12 percent of females between 18 and 34 named pancreatic cancer when asked to name five types of cancer. That number more than doubled to 25 percent in December 2017. Regionally, individuals in the Northeast made the greatest strides in pancreatic cancer, up from 23 percent in May 2017 to 34 percent in December 2017.

"I especially commend our amazing volunteers across the country for their efforts in raising awareness about pancreatic cancer in communities nationwide," Fleshman said. "This survey shows that we're also on the right track in educating people about PanCAN and the services we provide to patients and caregivers."

A total of 683 interviews were completed in December. In order to qualify for study inclusion, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older and have donated a minimum of $25 and/or five hours of time to a charity in the past year. The margin of error for this research was +/- 4.3 percent.

Support the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's urgent goal to double survival by 2020. Follow the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network 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:
Terra Hall
Media Relations Manager
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Direct: 310-706-3311
Cell: 212-380-3919
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Pancreatic Cancer Action Network