Bill Sali: “Pancreatic cancer, the fourth most common cause of cancer death in the United States, is a devastating disease caused by…”

“Pancreatic cancer, the fourth most common cause of cancer death in the United States, is a devastating disease caused by excessive cellular growth in the pancreatic gland. Approximately 37,200 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year alone. Sadly, the average life expectancy for those diagnosed is only 3 to 6 months. Despite the lethal nature of pancreatic cancer, research remains in the earliest scientific stages, and there are currently no identifiable early warning signs. By the time the symptoms become evident, it is almost always too late for successful treatment. While research and scientific developments have led to lower mortality rates for other types of cancer, such as cancer of the breasts, lung, prostate, and colon, the mortality rate for pancreatic cancer continues unabated. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, PanCAN, is the only national patient advocacy organization that serves the pancreatic cancer community. It focuses its efforts on public policy, research funding, patient services, public awareness, and education related to the development of an effective treatment and ultimately a cure.”