Pancreatic cancer survival much lower than thought, research finds

Pancreatic Cancer UK says investment in research of this disease area must increase to £25 million a year by 2022. It has called for data to be separated into cancer type as well as overall figures, for new ways of diagnosing the disease earlier and for NICE to publish disease treatment guidelines.
95% of pancreatic cancer patients are diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), but because survival rate data is published together with that of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNET) patients, true survival rates have not been accurate. The survival rate of PNET patients is much higher than that of PDAC patients, and because the data has been reported as one, the survival rate for PDAC appeared more positive than is actually the case. Research has shown that just 3% of PDAC patients will live for five years or more, compared with 34% of PNET patients.
Diana Jupp, chief executive of Pancreatic Cancer UK said: “For the first time, our study has revealed the truly outrageous survival for the vast majority of people with pancreatic cancer. This survival is completely unacceptable and it simply cannot be ignored. Due to increased research investment, in recent years we have seen outstanding progress in other cancers such as breast and prostate, and a shocking lack of progress for pancreatic. But together, we can turn this around and transform the future for people affected. Now we are armed with a clear picture of this disease overall, it must be confronted as an emergency by Governments, research funders, and health commissioners alike.”