Today the American Cancer Society called out the need for more progress on pancreatic cancer, citing it as the third-leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. Their annual report also includes news that the number of diagnoses is expected to increase, making PanCAN’s work more vital than ever.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Facts and Figures 2025 report, released today, highlights just how important it is to continue to accelerate progress.

Here are some key takeaways from the report:

  • After three years of increasing survival, the five-year relative survival rate for pancreatic cancer remains at 13% and is just 8% for people diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (tumor in the exocrine pancreas). Approximately 90% of all pancreatic cancer diagnoses are adenocarcinomas. It’s important to note that each patient is unique – statistics look at population-wide trends, while individual patients’ outcomes depend on many factors.
  • An estimated 67,440 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2025, more people than ever before. And approximately 51,980 Americans are expected to die from the disease this year.

These sobering numbers make it clear that pancreatic cancer requires the full strength of our community to continue to raise awareness of this disease and improve outcomes for patients. No other major cancer has a five-year survival rate less than 20%. It’s time for pancreatic cancer to rise up the ranks. We’ve set a bold goal: To reach 20% five-year survival by 2030.

Here’s how we plan to get there. With your support, PanCAN is focusing our efforts on:

  • Pioneering the advancement of an early detection strategy for pancreatic cancer. PanCAN’s Early Detection Initiative looks at the connection between high blood sugar and pancreatic cancer with a goal to develop a screening method that detects pancreatic cancer when it can be surgically removed.
  • Revolutionizing the development of advanced and personalized treatments. In 2024, we saw four FDA approvals for new pancreatic cancer treatments – a new record. The accelerating pace of progress highlights the power of precision medicine, which tailors treatment to each patient and their tumor’s specific biology. PanCAN’s network of research grant recipients dating back 25 years – our Community for Progress – gives us a solid foundation and the momentum we need for more breakthroughs.
  • Empowering patients and caregivers with the resources and knowledge they need to advocate for the care they deserve. Through Patient Services, PanCAN supports more pancreatic cancer patients and their families than any other organization in the world. This incredible team of trained professionals and a full suite of educational resources are available free of charge thanks to our generous supporters.

Taken together, PanCAN’s comprehensive approach is making a difference. Every person who participates in PanCAN PurpleStride or volunteers for PanCAN, who contacts their legislator to advocate for funding, or who generously donates to PanCAN makes a difference for patients facing pancreatic cancer and their families – now and in the future.

The next step forward in the fight against this challenging disease depends on all of us. Together, we are a catalyst for change.

Contact a PanCAN Patient Services Case Manager
Donate today to advance leading-edge research and support the roughly 67,440 Americans expected to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2025.