Pancreatic cancer is a name that sends shivers down our spines. In 2023, about 64,050 people in the United States will hear that they have this disease. It's the eighth most common cancer for women and tenth for men. The problem is getting worse. The number of new cases has been rising by 1% each year since the late 1990s. When we look at the whole world, the numbers are staggering—around 496,000 people were diagnosed in 2020.

Why the Concern?

This cancer is a silent killer. Most times, it gets found too late. There are no simple tests to catch it early, and symptoms don't show up until the cancer is advanced. What's scarier is that the survival rates are low. If you catch it early, you have a 44% chance of living for five more years. But only 12% of patients get diagnosed at this stage. If the cancer has spread far, the five-year survival rate is as low as 3%.

Recent studies have shown that more women, especially younger women, are getting this cancer. A study by Cedars-Sinai found that rates in younger women are 2.4% higher than in men their age. Dr. Srinivas Gaddam, the study's senior author, says this needs urgent attention. He points out that while survival rates are slowly getting better for men, they are not improving for women.

The Dark Clouds on the Horizon

Another alarming study published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology shows the problem is getting worse among younger people, especially women. The rates are increasing faster in people younger than 55 years compared to older adults. And the trend isn't just in the United States; other countries like the UK are seeing similar issues.

What's Being Done?

There's some light at the end of the tunnel, thanks to efforts like the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's (aka PanCAN’s) Precision Promise. This program aims to speed up the process of finding new treatments. The trial design they are using is more efficient and needs fewer patients to test new treatments. That means quicker approvals for medicines that work.

If you or someone you know has this type of cancer, talking to a doctor about joining a trial like Precision Promise could be an option. This trial is open to patients with advanced-stage pancreatic cancer who are either receiving their first treatment or have only had one treatment before.

Time for Action

With increasing rates and low survival chances, we can't afford to waste time. Lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, cutting back on alcohol, eating healthier, and staying active can reduce the risk. Dr. Gaddam emphasizes the need for immediate action. He believes that better understanding these trends will lead to more effective treatments and maybe even ways to prevent this deadly disease.

This isn't just a health issue; it's an urgent call to action for researchers, healthcare providers, and the community. We need more funding and focus on pancreatic cancer now more than ever. As Dr. Gaddam says, "The data shows us a small increase in risk of pancreatic cancer. And that awareness might refocus people on the need to make lifestyle changes."

PanCAN is also leading the charge in terms of garnering more funding for pancreatic cancer research, by lobbying US Congress members to invest more in cancer research funding today. As an organization, PanCAN has successfully shattered its own records of annual research investment, and now includes grant awards, which will accelerate progress against the disease.

Pancreatic cancer is not just statistics and percentages; it's a real threat that needs immediate action. The ominous trends, especially among women and younger people, signal a storm on the horizon. But efforts like Precision Promise show us that change is possible. We need to act now, so fewer people have to face the dark clouds of pancreatic cancer in the future.