press release January 22, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Japan First: A Guide to the “Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Campaign Caravan” for Pancreatic Cancer Patients and Their Families

JAPAN – (January 22, 2009) –Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Japan (CEO: Yoshiyuki Majima), an NPO support group for pancreatic cancer patients and their families, and CancerNet Japan (CEO: Kazuhiko Yoshida), an NPO that aims for the diffusion and awareness of cancer-patient led cancer treatment, hereby provide guidance to the start of the “Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Campaign Caravan” for pancreatic cancer patients and their families throughout Japan from March 2009 with the support and cooperation of Eli Lilly Japan, K.K (President: Alfonso G. Zulueta).

An estimated 20,000 people are informed each year in Japan that they have pancreatic cancer and 20% of patients receive surgical treatment and adjuvant therapy. However, the majority of patients is not indicated for surgical treatment and receives chemotherapy or palliative care instead. Pancreatic cancer is the only main type of cancer that an improvement in its 5-year survival rate is desired so the identification and monitoring of high-risk groups, early detection, early treatment, improvement of chemotherapy and more thoroughgoing dissemination of epidemiological prevention methods carry an important significance for pancreatic cancer.

However, the level of awareness of pancreatic cancer among ordinary citizens is low and the current situation is that it is difficult for pancreatic cancer patients and their families to obtain information of high reliability based on scientific grounds. Due to such background circumstances, this program has been planned for pancreatic cancer awareness under the cooperation of Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Japan, the Japan branch of the NPO Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, which already has a history and record as a support group for pancreatic cancer patients and their families in America, and CancerNet Japan, an NPO that has provided treatment information based on scientific grounds in Japan for close to 20 years.

The Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Campaign Caravan is planning to hold events in the following 3 cities.

  • Hiroshima (Saturday, March 14) International Conference Center Hiroshima, 1-5 Nakajima-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima
  • Tokyo (Saturday, August 1) Shinjuku Meiji Yasuda Life Hall, 1-9-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
  • Kobe (Saturday, November 14) Eli Lilly Japan Head Office, 7-1-5 Isogami-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe

In addition, the organizers have asked opinion leaders on pancreatic cancer in each region to act as speakers. In addition to the NPOs Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and CancerNet Japan, local cancer patient groups will be involved in event management.

Everybody involved is conscious of the Campaign Caravan as a deeply significant program for reasons including the fact that there have been no pancreatic cancer awareness-raising events in Japan to this point, the Campaign Caravan is an event that will traverse the country, and event management will be carried out by patient groups and support groups themselves. This guide is provided for the information of as many people as possible.

Inquiries regarding this news release
NPO CancerNet Japan, 5th Floor, Ochanomizu Sunny Building, 3-2-7 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033
Tel: 03-5840-6072, Fax: 03-5840-6073, E-mail：info@cancernet.jp

To learn more about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, visit www.pancan.org.

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the only national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure. The organization raises money for direct private funding of research—and advocates for more aggressive federal research funding of medical breakthroughs in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network fills the void of information and options by giving patients and caregivers reliable, personalized information they need to make informed decisions. We create a sense of hope and community so no one has to face pancreatic cancer alone. The organization helps support individuals and communities all across the country work together to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for pancreatic cancer.

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MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY CONTACT:
Jennifer Rosen
Senior Manager, Public Relations
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Direct: 310-706-3362
Email:jrosen@pancan.org

ALL OTHER INQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL THE PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK AT 877-272-6226 OR EMAIL INFO@PANCAN.ORG.