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MANHATTAN BEACH, CA (July 2, 2015) — The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network applauds the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for their continued effort to ensure pancreatic cancer research is a priority. The NCI announced this week a funding opportunity to create the Pancreatic Cancer Detection Consortium (PCDC) to conduct research to improve the detection of early-stage pancreatic cancer and the characterization of its precursor lesions.
The Pancreatic Cancer Detection Consortium is aimed at addressing one of the four key priority areas identified by the Scientific Framework for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma, created by the NCI in response to the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act of 2012, whose passage was spearheaded by Pancreatic Cancer Action Network advocates.
“The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network applauds the NCI for taking this latest step in implementing the Framework,” stated Julie Fleshman, president and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. “Mortality can be swift for pancreatic cancer patients often due to diagnosis after the disease is in advanced stages. The discovery of an early detection tool has the potential improve the survival rate for patients, and we are hopeful that the focused efforts of the new Consortium will be at the forefront of groundbreaking research.”
In addition to development of the Pancreatic Cancer Detection Consortium, the NCI has also made important progress on the other key recommendations from the Framework and has taken specific steps toward implementing them including:
- A call for applications in conjunction with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases to develop a research consortium to explore the link between pancreatic cancer and diabetes
- The 2013 launch of the RAS Initiative which targets the gene mutation, KRAS, found in more than 90 percent of pancreatic cancer cases
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network continues to advocate for increased federal funding dedicated to pancreatic cancer. In fact, last month more than 600 advocates were on Capitol Hill urging Congress to support a budget agreement or other legislation providing the National Institutes of Health with $33 billion for FY 2016, including a proportional $5.4 billion for the NCI, and put the NIH on a sustainable path for long-term growth.
Further, the organization works to ensure the pancreatic cancer research community is aware of all new or existing federal funding opportunities.
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States, but it expected to surpass colon and breast cancer to become the second by 2020. To learn more about the efforts of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to double survival by 2020 go to www.pancan.org.
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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. The organization is leading the way to increase survival for people diagnosed with this devastating disease through a bold initiative — The Vision of Progress: Double Pancreatic Cancer Survival by 2020. Together, we can Wage Hope in the fight against pancreatic cancer by intensifying our efforts to heighten awareness, raise funds for comprehensive private research, and advocate for dedicated federal research to advance early diagnostics and better treatments and increase chances of survival.
For more information, go to www.pancan.org
Follow the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network on Twitter: @PanCAN and #WageHope
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MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY CONTACT:
Jennifer Rosen
Senior Manager, Public Relations
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Direct: 310-706-3362
jrosen@pancan.org
ALL OTHER INQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL THE PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK AT 877-272-6226 OR EMAIL INFO@PANCAN.ORG.
