The McGovern Family Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Association was founded in memory of JoAnn McGovern, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2011. Its mission is to raise awareness about and support pancreatic cancer treatment and research. The annual JoAnn McGovern Memorial Golf Tournament raises money to do that and has allowed the Foundation to donate to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research. This blog post compiles facts and information available to the public from both organizations.
What is pancreatic cancer?
The pancreas is an organ in the abdomen. It is important for digestion and controlling blood sugar levels. When cells in the pancreas are unable to repair routine genetic mutations, abnormal cells start growing out of control and can form a malignant tumor in the tissue of the pancreas. These changes in DNA can be hereditary or acquired at random with age. Diabetes, pancreatitis, smoking, meat-heavy diets, and obesity can also increase the likelihood of pancreatic cancer.
There are four stages of pancreatic cancer:
Resectable: The tumor is contained within the pancreas and usually removable via surgery.
Borderline resectable: The tumor is approaching blood vessels or lymph nodes near the pancreas. Surgery to remove the tumor is likely still possible, especially when combined with other treatments that shrink the tumor.
Locally advanced: The cancer has moved beyond the pancreas, spreading to major arteries, blood vessels, or lymph nodes located close to the pancreas. These tumors are typically not surgically removable.
Metastatic: The cancer has already spread to other organs that are far away from the pancreas. These tumors cannot be removed via surgery. Over 50% of patients are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that is in this most advanced stage.
Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death and is expected to become the second. According to the American Cancer Society, there will be 57,600 new cases of pancreatic cancer in 2020, and over 80% of those cases will be deadly.
Diagnosis difficulties:
There is presently no way to detect pancreatic cancer early, and several barriers complicate diagnosis. A patient is often not diagnosed until the cancer has advanced and potentially spread to other parts of the body. A doctor cannot see or feel tumors in the pancreas by conducting a physical examination. There are no clear early warning signs. Symptoms such as jaundice, itchy skin, back pain, digestive problems, and blood clots often present after the cancer has already advanced. No blood screening tests for pancreatic cancer exist at the moment.
Imaging tests and biopsies are necessary to see a pancreatic tumor and confirm if it is cancerous.
What we know right now: Current treatments
Researchers have discovered and developed different types of treatment for pancreatic cancer:
Surgery gives eligible patients the greatest chance of survival. However, since patients are not usually diagnosed until their cancer is in a later stage, they may be ineligible if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Chemotherapy drugs aim to kill cancer cells by stopping them from growing, but healthy cells may be damaged in the process. Additionally, chemotherapy does not kill all cancer cells because pancreatic tumors are surrounded by a protective membrane that is resistant to chemotherapy.
The goal of radiation therapy is to use X-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink the tumor. This treatment is localized, so there is less risk of damaging healthy organs and tissues.
Targeted therapy stops the processes that turn normal cells cancerous. This treatment keeps cancer cells from growing and is minimally harmful to healthy cells.
Genetic sequencing and tumor testing (molecular profiling) can reveal inherited mutations, which can inform which treatment will be most effective for an individual patient.
Immunotherapy helps the immune system identify and attack cancer cells.
Off-label treatments that are approved for treating other types of cancer can be a viable option for pancreatic cancer patients.
Patients can receive experimental treatments by participating in clinical trials led by researchers who are testing screening methods, new drugs, and other treatments.
Looking ahead: What’s happening in labs and clinics
Here is just a small sample of the initiatives against pancreatic cancer that researchers are working on:
Earlier detection
Developing a blood screening test to detect pancreatic cancer
Identifying and monitoring individuals at high risk for pancreatic cancer
Improving imaging/scanning technology
Using artificial intelligence to process visual information about tumors
Drug development
Testing new compounds and novel combinations of existing drugs
Personalized medicine
Creating custom treatments based on the specific genetic makeup of a patient’s tumor
Fatigue, pain, and depression management
Finding ways to manage symptoms and side effects
Thanks for your interest in the Foundation and its mission.