As we say goodbye to the pink tones of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we greet November with the color purple for National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. I hope each of you take the time to learn about this devastating cancer, in hopes to raise awareness. People aren't as knowledgeable about pancreatic cancer as breast or prostate cancer, but it is just as a debilitating disease.
There is sometimes a delay in diagnosing pancreatic cancer because pancreatic cancer symptoms are similar to those of many other illnesses.
There are several risk factors for pancreatic cancer, including having diabetes and chronic pancreatitis. If you are at risk for pancreatic cancer, talk to your doctor about your risk factor and how to monitor for pancreatic cancer if needed. Keep in mind though that some people with pancreatic cancer do not have any clear risk factor or symptoms of the disease.
The bottom line is that if you are experiencing any pancreatic cancer symptoms, or anything unusual, see a doctor. Early detection is key with any condition!
A Journey with Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is not easy on anyone - it's takes such a physical and mental toll not only on the patient, but the family members as well. Guest author, Alison Doyle, (About's Job Searching Guide) speaks of her experience with pancreatic cancer in "Without Hope, We Have Nothing", a firsthand account about her father's battle with pancreatic cancer.
Photo courtesy of A.D.A.M. Health Encyclopedia
That’s the bad part that some people with pancreatic cancer do not have any clear risk factor or symptoms of the disease.
“People aren’t as knowledgeable about pancreatic cancer as breast or prostate cancer, but it is just as a debilitating disease.” That statement (”is just as debilitating”) is VERY misleading.
-The fact of the matter is that pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate of ALL the major cancers.
-It is also the only cancer that STILL has a five year survivability rate in the the single digits (4%).
-No progress has been made in FORTY YEARS with regards to research and the National Cancer Institute only allocated a mere 2% of its $5 BILLION budget to pancreatic cancer research last year.
-Pancreatic cancer research TODAY is where breast cancer research was THIRTY YEARS AGO!
So so very sad.
no one should
EVER have to go through such
A horrible thing.
My grandpa has pancreatic cancer and i never knew how hard it would be to watch someone go through this. Its hard on everyone. my gpa helped raise me and was basically more of my dad than a gpa. hes still fighting it but idk if he has alot left in him. One day he was fine and the next he had 3 months to live. Its hard on everyone i lived with him to take care of him over the summer and it was one of the hardest things to watch. I can feel for anyone who is going through this and my prayers go out to all of you.