Teaming with Healthcare Professionals to Transform the Future of Pancreatic Cancer

Successful cancer patient advocacy has many components.  Patients and survivors are in the best position to tell their stories and advocate for better care and treatment.  However, with few survivors to aid in this messaging, family members, healthcare professionals, and an advocacy organization must fill the gap.  The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2022 there will be 62,210 new pancreatic cancer cases and 49,830 deaths. 

Liz will share her personal journey in advocating for future pancreatic cancer patients and the need for better treatment options and early detection methods to improve patient outcomes.   

With the help of healthcare professionals, especially the research community, advocates have been able to secure a dedicated federal pancreatic cancer research program.  Advocates have also seen a 970% increase in additional federal pancreatic cancer research funding.  Teaming with healthcare professionals has made the difference in funding to transform the future for pancreatic cancer patients.

Since 2003, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) has awarded 234 grants to 213 scientists at 79 intuitions.  This year alone, PanCAN will invest $25M for a cumulative $174M in research funding.  These efforts have driven the 5-year survival rate from 4% in 2001 to 11% today. PanCAN’s  goal is to improve the rate to 20% by 2030. 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Define year-round efforts to raise awareness and advocate for future patients
2. Review access to grant funding including a focus on early career investigators
3. Describe the free resources and support available for patients and healthcare professionals.