18 Nov United in Hope: Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

November 18, 2025 ~ Triage Cancer is proud to collaborate with individuals and organizations serving individuals diagnosed with cancer and caregivers. This blog post is written by our organizational partner, Pancreatic Cancer Network. PanCAN's vision is to create a world in which all patients with pancreatic cancer will thrive.

Honoring Everyone Affected by Pancreatic Cancer

Every November, people across the country unite to observe Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. This is a time to honor every individual affected by this disease: patients, caregivers, loved ones, family members, nurses, doctors, researchers and so many in-between. Their strength and resolve in the face of a pancreatic cancer diagnosis gives us hope, which drives everything we do at PanCAN.

The Urgent Need for Early Detection and Better Treatments

Pancreatic cancer is often caught too late, when it has spread to other organs making surgery to remove the tumor not an option for most patients. The five-year survival rate (although rising in recent years) has held steady at around 13%, far too low for a disease that will impact close to 68,000 people in the next year. PanCAN is working hard to change this, and promising research in recent years has led to the discovery of exciting new therapies and early detection methods.

Understanding Pancreatic Cancer Risk Factors

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month is also an important opportunity to remind the public of risk factors that can increase a person’s chances of developing the disease. Modifiable risk factors, including behaviors like smoking, can make someone twice as likely to develop pancreatic cancer than a non-smoker. Heavy alcohol consumption is also a risk factor, increasing chances of pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas), which in turn leads to a higher chance of developing pancreatic cancer.

There are also risk factors related to genetics and family history of pancreatic cancer. People with BRCA2 mutations (which include a higher-than-average population of Ashkenazi Jewish people) are at higher risk. People with one or two first degree relatives (parent, sibling, or child) who have had pancreatic cancer may also have a higher risk of developing the disease. You can read more about the risks of pancreatic cancer here, and take our Pancreatic Cancer Risk Test.

Recognizing Early Signs and Symptoms

The early signs and symptoms can also make a critical difference: catching pancreatic cancer early means better treatment options, including surgery. Part of why early detection is so difficult is because the symptoms of pancreatic cancer can be vague, or confused with other conditions: abdominal or back pain, changes in stool, jaundice, digestive problems and recent-onset diabetes can all be early signs that mean a conversation with your doctor should be a top priority.

Personalized Support Through PanCAN Patient Services

PanCAN has a Patient Services program to provide information and resources to those facing a diagnosis. At the heart of PanCAN Patient Services are our case managers, highly trained specialists who can help support people living with pancreatic cancer and their loved-ones through every step of the journey with personalized resources, information on nearby clinical trials and so much more. They can help ease the anxiety after a diagnosis as trusted supporters, to perform research and educate individuals as they navigate the road ahead. PanCAN’s extensive library of booklets and resources are there to share with anyone who needs them, at any time.

Coming Together at PurpleStride

Every year, PanCAN hosts Purple Stride, our one-day walk in cities all over the country in support of survivors, the people who love them, researchers, healthcare providers all often dedicated volunteers themselves. Their smiles and passion on that day, and every day before and after, unite us in hope, and give meaning to the hard work we at PanCAN do on behalf of every single survivor. We are dedicated to a world where every patient thrives. Learn more at pancan.org.