Tackling pancreatic cancer survival rates remains a huge challenge

The Irish Cancer Society has said that while progress is being made in relation to the treatment of pancreatic cancer patients, survival rates are still too low and the cancer largely remains a cancer of unmet need. The Society made the comments on World Pancreatic Cancer Day (Thursday, 17 November 2016).

While the case numbers in Ireland is less than more well-known forms of cancer, with approximately 496 people being diagnosed with the cancer annually, the number of deaths per year almost equal the number of diagnoses with around 500 people dying every year.

Dr. Robert O’Connor, Head of Research with the Irish Cancer Society, said “Pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates of all cancers with just under four in five people dying within a year of diagnosis. These figures are much starker as time goes on with more than nine in ten pancreatic cancer patients dying within five years.

“The statistics confirm that while pancreatic cancer is quite a common cancer - the 7th most common cancer in Ireland - it is no more curable than a rare cancer. It essentially remains a cancer of unmet need. The risk factors are vague and most patients present at advanced stages of the disease meaning that curative treatment is often very difficult and there is a huge need for identification of improved treatment strategies.

“While fantastic work is being done in the national centres for treating this cancer, St. Vincent’s and in Cork University Hospital in terms of treatment advancements, it is vital that we also focus on research and bringing those survival rates up. We also need to continue to shine a light on pancreatic cancer and increase awareness of it. That is why days like World Pancreatic Cancer Day are so important.”

Professor Ray McDermott, Consultant Medical Oncologist at Tallaght and St Vincent’s University Hospitals, Dublin said, “While the survival rates for pancreatic cancer are largely static, the treatment in Ireland has improved. The centralisation of surgical and allied services to St Vincent’s in Dublin with a satellite centre at Cork University Hospital has enabled a coordinated response and the recruitment of specialised staff, including more surgeons.

“In St. Vincent’s Hospital we have a weekly multi-disciplinary team meeting which includes 10 to 15 consultants from all disciplines. We discuss patients and their treatment plans in detail and we are looking at developing protocols of care for differing scenarios. All of this ultimately contributes to improved patient care.

“We are also hoping to roll out some new clinical trials based around pancreatic cancer, which will be facilitated by the centralisation model, and will hopefully allow us to advance the medical treatment even more."

To speak to a cancer nurse on any aspect of cancer contact our Cancer Nurseline on Freephone 1800 200 700, email cancernurseline@irishcancer.ie or drop into one of our 13 Daffodil Centre in hospitals nationwide. For information on Daffodil Centre locations and opening times email daffodilcentreinfo@irishcancer.ie. 

For more information on pancreatic cancer, visit our cancer information content.