Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Urges Congress For More Funding To Research This Deadly Disease

Main Category: Pancreatic Cancer
Also Included In: GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology;  Aid / Disasters;  Public Health
Article Date: 25 Apr 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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Today the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) and 165 advocates from all over the U.S. are in Washington, DC to call on members of Congress to support federal cancer research funding. To meet this urgent need, PanCAN will call on Congress to support a minimum 6.7 percent increase for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). In 2006, an estimated $66.7 million dollars of the NCI's cancer research investment was spent on pancreatic cancer research. This was just one percent of the NCI's $4.8 billion dollar cancer research budget for 2006.

More than 37,000 Americans will be diagnosed this year with pancreatic cancer, and 75 percent will die within the first twelve months from diagnosis. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the U.S, yet one of the most underfunded for research.

"The need for more research is tremendous and our voices must be heard," says PanCAN President & CEO Julie Fleshman. "No effective early detection methods currently exist and there are minimal treatment options available. And very little research is being done due to limited research funding."

The country's investment in cancer research over the last 20 years has led to a slight drop in 2006 in overall deaths due to cancer. This fact illustrates that our investment in cancer research is moving science forward in the most common cancers, such as breast, colon and prostate. However, the lack of progress in pancreatic cancer proves that we must continue to make federal funding of cancer research a priority.

While in Washington, PanCAN advocates will also ask members of the U.S. House of Representatives to support awareness efforts by co-sponsoring legislation proclaiming November as "Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month," a key component in raising awareness among policy makers about the high mortality rate and lack of screening or treatment options for this devastating disease.

"I'm able to be here because I'm a pancreatic cancer survivor, which right now, is a very small group of people. I want to make a difference and help others have the chance to survive. It's important our legislative decision- makers know that this disease exists and is fatal unless they help fund research to develop pre-screening methods, diagnostic tools and the development of effective treatments," said Chris Calaprice, a three-and-a half-year pancreatic cancer survivor from Santa Clarita, Calif.

About PanCan

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Inc. (PanCAN), established in 1999, is the first national patient advocacy organization for the pancreatic cancer community. PanCAN works to focus national attention on the need to find a cure for pancreatic cancer. We provide public and professional education embracing the urgent need for more research, effective treatments, prevention programs and early detection methods. PanCAN also funds research grants for pancreatic cancer, as well as providing patient services. Volunteers across the country help us to accomplish our goals.

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Inc.
http://www.pancan.org