This November marks our first-ever Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, a full month dedicated to raising awareness about pancreatic cancer, its symptoms, risk factors, and the critical need for early detection and research.
It’s time to act and increase the understanding of this disease to save more lives.
Why Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Matters
Pancreatic cancer remains the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the EU, with a five-year survival rate of only 9%, the lowest among all cancers. Sadly, 92% of patients do not survive beyond five years after diagnosis1. In 2018, over 128,000 lives were lost to pancreatic cancer in Europe2. Additionally, it is estimated in 2025 that 564,930 cases will be diagnosed globally3.
A significant challenge in addressing pancreatic cancer is that 80% of cases are diagnosed at a later stage when surgery— the only treatment that has the potential to cure the disease—is no longer an option. More than half of those diagnosed do not survive past the first three months. One of the reasons for this low survival rate is a general lack of knowledge about the pancreas. Signs and symptoms can often be nonspecific, making misdiagnosis common and resulting in late-stage cancer diagnosis and low survival rates.
1. Minicozzi P, Cassetti T, Vener C, et al.. Analysis of incidence, mortality and survival for pancreatic and biliary tract cancers across Europe, with assessment of influence of revised European age standardisation on estimates. Cancer Epidemiol 2018;55:52–60. 10.1016/j.canep.2018.04.01
2. Ferlay J, Colombet M, Soerjomataram I, et al.. Cancer incidence and mortality patterns in Europe: estimates for 40 countries and 25 major cancers in 2018. Eur J Cancer 2018;103:356–87. 10.1016/j.ejca.2018.07.005
3. https://gco.iarc.fr/tomorrow/home
Debunking Common Myths
As part of this year’s campaign, we’re focusing on debunking common myths surrounding pancreatic cancer and enhancing people’s knowledge of the symptoms and risks of this disease. Throughout the month, we will share facts and evidence to help dismantle these misconceptions, ensuring more people recognise the importance of early detection. Check our social media assets for myth-busting facts, and take action by sharing our posts and helping us to save more lives.
What are the most common symptoms of pancreatic cancer?
The most common symptoms of pancreatic cancer are:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Abdominal pain and/or back pain
- Abdominal distension
- Feeling bloated or full
- Jaundice
- Bowel problems
- Sudden onset diabetes
- Depression
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Indigestion/heartburn/nausea and vomiting
- Fever and shivering
- Dysphagia (swallowing difficulties)
- Loss of appetite
- Extreme tiredness/fatigue
- Unexplained acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Stools that are large, pale, smelly and float
Do see your doctor if you have any of these symptoms, especially if you are at a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
Risk Factors for Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer occurs when abnormal cells develop and grow out of control, causing tumours. While the cause of the majority of pancreatic cancer cases is unknown, understanding the risk factors associated with this cancer is crucial for prevention and early intervention. Some of the major risk factors include:
- Age: The incidence of pancreatic cancer peaks in men aged 65-69 and women aged 75-791,2.
- Genetic Mutations: A small percentage of pancreatic cancers are hereditary, often linked to mutations3 such as BRCA2. Those with a family history of pancreatic cancer should seek genetic counselling and consider screening options.
- Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, high alcohol consumption, a diet high in red meat, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and chronic pancreatitis all increase the risk of pancreatic cancer)1,2,10,11.
How You Can Get Involved
Throughout Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, we encourage you to:
- Learn the symptoms and risk factors of pancreatic cancer and soread this knowledge with others.
- Debunk myths by sharing our social media assets across your networks.
- Take part in the global campaign on this topic for World Pancreatic Cancer Day on 21 November 2024. For more information visit: https://www.worldpancreaticcancercoalition.org/world-pancreatic-cancer-day-2024/about-wpcd/
Together, we can make a difference and save lives through increased awareness and early detection.
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Download our materials
Social Media Calendar
Pancreatic cancer and its symptoms
Pancreatic Cancer White Paper
Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer – symptoms and treatment
The Costs of Pancreatic Cancer
World Pancreatic
Cancer Day: Social Media Graphics
References
1. Conroy, T. et al. Pancreatic cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Annals of Oncology.
2. GBD 2017 Pancreatic Cancer Collaborators. The global, regional, and national burden of pancreatic cancer and its attributable risk factors in 195 countries and territories, 1990-2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019;4(12):934-947.
3. Pereira SP, Oldfield L, Ney A et al. Early detection of pancreatic cancer. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020;5(7):698-710.
4. Stjepanovic N, Moreira L, Carneiro F et al. Hereditary gastrointestinal cancers: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ann Oncol. 2019;30(10):1558-1571.
5. Owens DK, Davidson KW, Krist AH et al. Screening for Pancreatic Cancer. JAMA. 2019;322(5):438.
6. Yurgelun MB. Building on More Than 20 Years of Progress in Pancreatic Cancer Surveillance for High-Risk Individuals. J Clin Oncol.2022;40(28):3230-3234.
7. Klatte DCF, Boekestijn B, Wasser M et al. Pancreatic Cancer Surveillance in Carriers of a Germline CDKN2A Pathogenic Variant: Yield and Outcomes of a20-Year Prospective Follow-Up. J Clin Oncol. 2022;40(28):3267-3277.
8. Dbouk M, Katona BW, Brand RE et al. The Multicenter Cancer of Pancreas Screening Study: Impact on Stage and Survival. J Clin Oncol.2022;40(28):3257-3266.
9. Sawhney MS, Calderwood AH, Thosani NC et al. ASGE guideline on screening for pancreatic cancer in individuals with genetic susceptibility: summary and recommendations. Gastrointest Endosc. 2022;95(5):817-826.
10. Maisonneuve P, Lowenfels AB. Risk factors for pancreatic cancer: a summary review of meta-analytical studies. Int J Epidemiol. 2015;44(1):186-198.
11. Yu J, Yang X, He W et al. Burden of pancreatic cancer along with attributable risk factors in Europe between 1990 and 2019, and projections until 2039. Int J Cancer. 2021;149(5):993-1001
