Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month serves as an important reminder of the value of education, awareness and early detection. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 67K Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2026, and approximately 52K will die from the disease.
Despite advances in cancer care, the five-year relative survival rate remains approximately 13% across all stages. However, when pancreatic cancer is detected before it spreads beyond the pancreas, the five-year survival rate increases to 44%.
Dignity Health encourages individuals and families to take a proactive approach to their health by recognizing the warning signs of pancreatic cancer, understanding their family history and discussing any concerns with their healthcare provider.
“Pancreatic cancer is particularly challenging because symptoms often don’t appear until the disease has progressed,” said Dr. Sidney Stoll, medical oncologist and medical director of the Leavey Cancer Center at Dignity Health, Northridge Hospital Medical Center. “Understanding the warning signs and knowing your personal risk factors can help patients recognize when something isn’t right and seek medical attention sooner.”
Understanding the Warning Signs and Risk Factors
Pancreatic cancer often develops without noticeable symptoms, making early detection challenging. Dignity Health encourages individuals to recognize potential warning signs and understand their risk factors:
● Know the symptoms: Persistent abdominal or back pain, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, loss of appetite, and jaundice may warrant medical evaluation.
● Understand your risk: Smoking, obesity, diabetes, chronic pancreatitis and family history can increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.
● Discuss screening options: While routine screening is not recommended for the general population, individuals with certain inherited genetic conditions or a strong family history may benefit from specialized surveillance.
● Make healthy choices: Avoiding tobacco, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and limiting heavy alcohol consumption may help reduce risk.
Advancements in Diagnosis and Treatment Offer Hope
Advances in imaging, genetic testing and personalized therapies are improving how physicians diagnose and treat pancreatic cancer. Depending on the stage of the disease, treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or targeted therapies.
Through a commitment to clinical excellence, Dignity Health brings together specialized expertise, advanced treatment options and compassionate, coordinated care to deliver personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs.
“While there is still much work to be done, continued advancements in cancer research and treatment are creating new opportunities to improve patient care,” added Dr. Stoll. “Our message to the community is simple: Know your risk, pay attention to persistent symptoms and don’t hesitate to speak with your healthcare provider about changes in your health.”