Ritzville helps raise awareness for Pancreatic Cancer

On Oct. 15, Mayor Linda Kadlec and the City Council passed a resolution declaring the month of November “Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month” in Ritzville. Bravo to them for helping to raise awareness about this devastating disease and encouraging our elected officials in Washington, D.C., to make fighting pancreatic cancer a priority.

The “Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act” was signed by President Obama in January, but sequestration is putting all medical research at risk. Even though the new law outlines the scientific framework that the National Cancer Institute must apply to this disease, funding cuts could place progress in further jeopardy.

I am serving as a volunteer with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in Eastern Washington because I have lost two friends to this terrible cancer and I want to see the battle against this disease won!

The five-year relative survival rates for pancreatic cancer have remained in the single digits for more than 40 years. Today the five-year relative survival rate remains at just six percent. By combining research, providing support and hope to individuals and families living with the disease, raising awareness and building and sustaining federal support, this rate can increase.

Early detection and good medical treatment is essential in eradicating this cancer. A strong support system is also needed to help those afflicted by this disease.

One of the reasons that pancreatic cancer is such a challenging disease is that it frequently goes undiagnosed until it has reached more advanced, aggressive stages. The best opportunity for a positive outcome is when this disease is diagnosed early, at a stage when the patient might be eligible for surgery.

More research is needed and people need to be aware and watchful of the early detection symptoms. Most pancreatic cancers do not cause symptoms until the cancer spreads to other parts of the body. If the cancer spreads to the liver it may cause liver enlargement, abdominal pain, poor appetite and jaundice when the bile duct is compromised. Stomach pain, high or low blood sugar, jaundice, diarrhea and weight loss can be early symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of these symptoms occur and testing for pancreatic cancer should not be overlooked as a possibility when other conditions are ruled out.

It is estimated that approximately 990 new pancreatic cancer cases will occur in the state of Washington in 2013 with 850 resulting in death. The total new pancreatic cancer cases for the entire United States in 2013 is estimated at a staggering 45,220 resulting in 38,460 deaths.

It is unacceptable in this day and age that the incidences and death rates for pancreatic cancer are increasing while all other cancers are declining.

It is essential that we make research into pancreatic cancer a priority in this country so that greater progress can be made toward early detection, better treatment options and ultimately a cure!

Shary Wellsandt, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network volunteer