Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Announces New Initiative to Double the Survival Rate for Pancreatic Cancer Patients by 2020

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif., Feb. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is leading the way to increase the survival rates of people with this devastating disease by announcing today The Vision of Progress: Double the Pancreatic Cancer Survival Rate by 2020. The organization is doubling its efforts to raise awareness, support patients and intensify advocacy for a national research strategy dedicated to finding a cure by undertaking this bold new initiative.

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"Look at pancreatic cancer and you'll see something deadly wrong. Survival rates have remained in the single digits for nearly forty years. Today, the five-year survival rate remains at just 6 percent. We have a vision to change that—to double the survival rate by the year 2020," stated Julie Fleshman, President and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.  "We believe that the survival rate can be substantially increased and we will devote considerable effort and resources to doubling the survival rate for pancreatic cancer patients by 2020."

As the national leader in the fight against pancreatic cancer, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is well positioned to achieve this goal by accelerating the application of its proven comprehensive approach to fighting the disease—combining research, support for individuals and families living with the disease, raising awareness and building and sustaining federal support.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network remains committed to building a comprehensive and coordinated pancreatic cancer research community to speed the acquisition of knowledge, share information and move findings into practice. The organization will continue to fund research grants that attract the most talented and promising young scientists to study the disease and re-engage scientists already in the field by funding their innovative research projects and creating a collaborative network among researchers.

The Patient and Liaison Services (PALS) program efforts to educate patients and family members about the disease are also critical to furthering progress. The organization is increasing the capacity of its one-on-one patient support through the PALS program so that more of those in need have access to the latest and most accurate medical information about the disease,  guidance on how to enroll in clinical trials, and referrals to pancreatic cancer specialists.

The organization will also work to build and sustain federal support:  advocates will continue to encourage Members of Congress to introduce and pass the Pancreatic Cancer Research & Education Act, pivotal legislation that will spur the National Cancer Institute to develop and fund a comprehensive research strategy for developing early diagnostic tools and better treatments to increase survival rates. Moreover, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network will continue to play a leading role in the Deadly Cancer Coalition, joining with the advocates of other overlooked deadly cancers to increase the attention given to them.

Through the years, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network volunteers and advocates have raised tens of millions of dollars to fund private research, directly support patients by providing information and education, and encourage the federal government to increase research funding. The organization will continue to expand its national network by providing people with the tools they need to educate, organize and empower others to know, fight and end this devastating disease.

"It's time to turn this vision of progress into reality. Focus on a comprehensive approach to knowing, fighting and ending pancreatic cancer. Double survival rates and create real hope for patients," added Fleshman.

To learn more about this initiative and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, visit www.pancan.org.

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure with a goal to double the survival rate for patients by 2020. The organization raises money for direct private funding of research—and advocates for more aggressive federal research funding of medical breakthroughs in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network fills the void of information and options by giving patients and caregivers reliable, personalized information they need to make informed decisions. We create a sense of hope and community so no one has to face pancreatic cancer alone. The organization helps support individuals and communities all across the country work together to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for pancreatic cancer.

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Julie Fleshman

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SOURCE Pancreatic Cancer Action Network