November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Its aim is to improve early diagnosis of the disease by ensuring more people know the symptoms of pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is the 12th most common cancer worldwide and has the lowest survival of all common cancers, with five-year survival of less than 9%. Early diagnosis is crucial to improve survival outcomes for people with this disease.
Surgery is the only treatment with curative intent for pancreatic cancer while chemotherapy and radiotherapy have also been shown to improve survival in late-stage pancreatic cancer.
The main risk factors include smoking, drinking alcohol, obesity, dietary factors and certain hereditary conditions. Symptoms could include abdominal pain, loss of appetite or unintended weight loss, jaundice, dark-colored urine, diabetes.
Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer is very hard to diagnose in the early stages. That is why it is beneficial to reduce the risk factors that may cause this disease. This could include maintaining a healthy weight, stopping smoking and limiting your alcohol intake.
GCT is proud to take active part in cancer research and drug development. For more information about our experience in oncology trials, please contact us at bd@gctrials.com.