Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Urges Congress For More Funding To Research This Deadly Disease

Today the Pancreatic
Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) and 165 advocates from all over the U.S. are
in Washington, DC to call on members of Congress to support federal cancer
research funding. To meet this urgent need, PanCAN will call on Congress to
support a minimum 6.7 percent increase for the National Institutes of
Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). In 2006, an estimated
$66.7 million dollars of the NCI's cancer research investment was spent on
pancreatic cancer research. This was just one percent of the NCI's $4.8
billion dollar cancer research budget for 2006.



More than 37,000 Americans will be diagnosed this year with pancreatic
cancer, and 75 percent will die within the first twelve months from
diagnosis. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in
the U.S, yet one of the most underfunded for research.



"The need for more research is tremendous and our voices must be
heard," says PanCAN President & CEO Julie Fleshman. "No effective early
detection methods currently exist and there are minimal treatment options
available. And very little research is being done due to limited research
funding."



The country's investment in cancer research over the last 20 years has
led to a slight drop in 2006 in overall deaths due to cancer. This fact
illustrates that our investment in cancer research is moving science
forward in the most common cancers, such as breast, colon and prostate.
However, the lack of progress in pancreatic cancer proves that we must
continue to make federal funding of cancer research a priority.



While in Washington, PanCAN advocates will also ask members of the U.S.
House of Representatives to support awareness efforts by co-sponsoring
legislation proclaiming November as "Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month," a
key component in raising awareness among policy makers about the high
mortality rate and lack of screening or treatment options for this
devastating disease.



"I'm able to be here because I'm a pancreatic cancer survivor, which
right now, is a very small group of people. I want to make a difference and
help others have the chance to survive. It's important our legislative
decision- makers know that this disease exists and is fatal unless they
help fund research to develop pre-screening methods, diagnostic tools and
the development of effective treatments," said Chris Calaprice, a
three-and-a half-year pancreatic cancer survivor from Santa Clarita, Calif.



About PanCan



The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Inc. (PanCAN), established in
1999, is the first national patient advocacy organization for the
pancreatic cancer community. PanCAN works to focus national attention on
the need to find a cure for pancreatic cancer. We provide public and
professional education embracing the urgent need for more research,
effective treatments, prevention programs and early detection methods.
PanCAN also funds research grants for pancreatic cancer, as well as
providing patient services. Volunteers across the country help us to
accomplish our goals.


Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Inc.

pancan