Back in the 1990s, little was known about the genetic underpinnings of pancreatic cancer. Fast forward about 30 years, and today scientists know inherited genetics accounts for roughly 20–30 percent of pancreatic cancers. But only about 7–10 percent of pancreatic cancer patients will have an inheritable germline mutation, such as BRCA, found in testing. …

In the world of pancreatic cancer, time is the patient’s most precious commodity. Delays in treatment-for whatever reason-can have life-threatening consequences. Several factors make pancreatic cancer a challenge for doctors to treat-perhaps the most obvious being that pancreatic cancer is often not caught until the later stages. By that time, patients will likely not respond, or will stop responding, to the few treatment options available.

The notion that exercise is good medicine isn’t exactly new. In fact, ancient civilizations in what is now China, India, and Greece all extolled the virtues of exercise. As Hippocrates, the so-called “father of modern medicine,” put it, exercise could help what ails you. Thousands of years later, study after study point to exercise being a boon to good health…

Every medical condition has its own challenges when it comes to drug interactions, and pancreatic cancer is no exception. The most common chemotherapy drugs for pancreatic cancer are gemcitabine, Abraxane (nab-paclitaxel), and FOLFIRINOX‑-a drug cocktail that includes fluorouracil, irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and leucovorin, or folinic acid. However, some treatment regimens may include capecitabine, irinotecan on its own, and a few other options.

Navigating the landscape of clinical trials can be daunting for even the most seasoned medical professional, let alone a cancer patient. That’s why clinical trial matching programs have become such an important part of a cancer patient’s treatment plan. But in an era of personalized medicine, in which treatment and trials are often based on a patient’s mutational profile, among other factors, expert help has become increasingly important.

When you or someone you love receives a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, it can feel a bit like you’ve arrived in a foreign land. — The decisions you make are potentially life-changing and people all around you are speaking in terms you don’t understand. “It’s natural for patients and loved ones to begin reading everything they can about pancreatic cancer, and that’s a good practice,” Dr. Allyson Ocean, medical oncologist at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical…

When you have a difficult-to-diagnose disease, and one that’s relatively rare and tough to treat, finding meaningful answers can be a challenge. — That’s where the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition (WPCC) comes in. Founded in 2016, WPCC brings together more than 95 member organizations that represent 35 countries to raise awareness and advance research. “There are so many organizations around the world that focus on pancreatic cancer,” says Julie Fleshman, President and CEO…

A pancreatic cancer diagnosis can be devastating. Yet there is often hope for everyone facing this disease. — Let’s Win! Pancreatic Cancer announces a series of videos from people who have survived five years or more. Hear their stories in their own words. It is our hope that this series will encourage everyone fighting this dreadful disease. This video series was inspired by Juliette Gimon and made possible through the generous support of the Flora Family Foundation.

El tratamiento del cáncer de páncreas es complejo, y atravesar la quimioterapia incluye muchos contratiempos, cambios, obstáculos y desvíos. — Pero hacer las preguntas correctas antes de comenzar la quimioterapia puede ayudarle a asegurarse de que está en el mejor camino para luchar contra la enfermedad de manera eficaz. “Cuando se recibe un diagnóstico difícil como el de cáncer de páncreas, es importante reunir información y conectarse con los recursos…