Brian Higgins: “November 21 is recognized as World Pancreatic Cancer Day, a time to raise awareness and inspire action in the fight…”

“November 21 is recognized as World Pancreatic Cancer Day, a time to raise awareness and inspire action in the fight against this devastating diagnosis which touches too many families. It is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, with a 5-year survival rate of just 9 percent. More than 1,000 new cases are diagnosed around the world every day, and it is estimated that pancreatic cancer will be responsible for 3,000 deaths in New York State this year alone. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and its western New York affiliate have made it their goal to double pancreatic cancer survival. As co-chair of the House Cancer Caucus, I am proud to advocate for robust funding for cancer research to put goals like this within reach. Recently, researchers at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center announced promising findings on treatments aimed at overcoming pancreatic cancer's resistance to treatment, but continued funding on projects like this is critical to saving lives. The need to increase pancreatic cancer survival rates is urgent, and it must be America's goal. ____________________”