Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month: 5 Facts You Should Know

Pancreatic cancer is a type of digestive system cancer that starts in the pancreas. This Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, discover the statistics linked to the disease and the progress being made in pancreatic cancer research and care at BC Cancer.

1. Pancreatic Cancer Facts

Pancreatic cancer is often difficult to detect early because it rarely has symptoms in its early stages. By the time it is diagnosed, the disease is frequently advanced and resistant to treatments. It has one of the lowest survival rates for cancer. In B.C., about 800 people are diagnosed each year. Approximately 75% of patients will live one year past diagnosis, while only 10% will live for five years after diagnosis.

2. The Power of Donor Support

Supporters of the BC Cancer Foundation, including our annual Cypress Challenge presented by Glotman•Simpson Cycling, are essential to advancing pancreatic cancer research and improving patient outcomes across B.C.

One donor who powered progress for pancreatic cancer research was Bob Hager. In the four short months between Bob’s own diagnosis with pancreatic cancer and death, he gathered a team of experts to help launch the Pancreas Centre BC (PCBC) in 2012. The PCBC, co-directed by BC Cancer’s Dr. Daniel Renouf, advances early detection and creates personalized treatments. Today, this groundbreaking research continues to be supported by the Hager family.

3. Innovative Pancreatic Cancer Treatments

Launched at BC Cancer in early 2024, the PEGASUS trial is exploring how glucose management can impact responses to treatment and patient outcomes. This groundbreaking study has started enrolment, marking a promising step forward for patients facing pancreatic cancer.

4. Hereditary Risk Screening

BC Cancer’s familial pancreatic cancer program, led by Dr. Intan Schrader, is Canada’s first hereditary program to offer genetic testing for all pancreatic cancer patients. Using world-first technology developed in B.C., this program identifies at-risk family members, paving the way for early screening and potentially transforming care standards.

5. Faster Access to Care

The PCBC’s Rapid Access Clinic aims to speed up pancreatic cancer care by shortening the time from diagnosis to treatment. The clinic brings together a team of diverse specialists, facilitates fast-tracks testing, offers advanced genetic profiling to guide personalized treatments, and includes dedicated nurses and nurse practitioners to support and guide patients through their appointments.

With each breakthrough, BC Cancer is rewriting the future for pancreatic cancer patients, providing new hope and pathways to better outcomes.