Over the past 30 years there has been a revolution in science and medicine, resulting in increased survival rates for many diseases but, unfortunately, pancreatic cancer has not benefited from these advances because historically there hasn’t been enough people who know about it. As a result, pancreatic cancer is the only one of the top cancer killers with a five-year survival rate in the single digits, at just six percent.
Even more alarming is that the disease is anticipated to move from the fourth to the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States by 2020, and possibly as early as 2015. We must change this. We can.
Ten years ago I lost my father to this awful disease. Over the past decade, not much has changed to improve the lives of others affected by pancreatic cancer. I understand firsthand the urgent need to create hope for others and their loved ones.
November is National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. I’ve pledged to support the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s Vision of Progress to double the pancreatic cancer survival rate by 2020.
Todd Cohen, Volunteer
New Jersey Affiliate Media Representative
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
