<p>The pancreas is a long, flat gland that lies in the abdomen behind the stomach. It produces enzymes that aid digestion and certain hormones that help maintain the proper level of blood sugar. The American Cancer Society estimates that in the U.S. in 2009, there will be 42,470 people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and 35,420 deaths from pancreatic cancer, making it the nation’s fourth leading cause of cancer death overall. Unlike other cancers, there is no screening test for pancreatic cancer. There are also no symptoms until the cancer has begun to spread, which accounts for the cancer’s dismal survival rate.</p><p>Pancreas cancer remains one of the most lethal forms of human cancer, with a 5 year survival rate of only 3-5%. More than 80% of patients present with advanced disease at diagnosis and therefore are not candidates for potentially curative surgical resection. Gemcitabine, remains the standard approach for the treatment of locally advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancer since 1997 with a median survival of approximately 6 months.</p><p>Pancreatic cancer has been brought to the forefront by the diagnoses of several prominent figures, including the late actor Patrick Swayze, who died of pancreatic cancer in September 2009, Apple cofounder and CEO Steve Jobs, and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The lifetime risks of pancreatic cancer is about 1 in 76. Pancreatic cancer ranks as the fourth deadliest cancer.</p><p>Although the exact cause of pancreatic cancer is not known, smoking is the main risk factor, with smokers 2-3 times more likely to have the disease than nonsmokers. Age is also related, with the disease usually striking after age 45. Diabetes is also linked to pancreatic cancer, with about 10-20% of those diagnosed with the cancer having diabetes. Other risks include chronic pancreatitis and cirrhosis of the liver. And family history of pancreatic cancer, high fat diet, obesity, and lack of exercise can also play a part. </p>
