Pancreatic Cancer Survival Increases for Third Consecutive Year

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#ACSstats–Yesterday, the American Cancer Society released its annual Cancer
Facts & Figures report, which highlighted some encouraging news
for the pancreatic cancer community.

The five-year survival rate for the disease increased, moving from 8 to
9 percent.* This is the third straight year that the five-year survival
rate has climbed.

“This moderate but critical shift highlights that we are making progress
and that we need to continue to accelerate our efforts,” said Julie
Fleshman, JD, MBA, president and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action
Network. “I am extremely grateful to our supporters and the amazing
patients that participate in clinical trials helping to make this
progress possible.”

While there are successes to celebrate, there is much work to be done
for patients today, and for those who will be diagnosed in 2017. It is
estimated that 53,670 Americans will be diagnosed this year and 43,090
people will die from the disease.

Pancreatic cancer remains the third leading cause of cancer-related
death in the United States, killing more people than breast cancer. The
disease is projected to become the second leading cause of
cancer-related death
around 2020.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) is accelerating progress
toward its aggressive goal to double survival by 2020 through vital
research, clinical programs and patient services that will improve lives.

For more information on the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, visit www.pancan.org.

*Rates are adjusted for normal life expectancy and are based on cases
diagnosed in the SEER 9 areas from 2006 to 2012, followed through 2013.

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) is the global leader
accelerating the pace of research progress for one of the world’s
deadliest cancers. With an urgent mission to improve outcomes for
pancreatic cancer patients and double survival by 2020, the
organization, founded in 1999, executes a bold and comprehensive
strategy to Wage Hope through research, patient services, advocacy and
community engagement. The organization’s visionary goals, world-class
programs and services, extensive grassroots network, patient-focused
outcomes and advisory board of scientific and medical leaders, provide
the critical backdrop to help pancreatic cancer patients today and
create transformational change for all patients in the future.

Contacts

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Cara Martinez, Direct:
310-706-3357
Senior Manager, Public Relations
cmartinez@pancan.org