Pancreatic Cancer Statistics

Question: What are the canadian statistics (2009) for people which have survived Pancreatic Cancer? & the age group and sex it is most likely to effect

Answer: I don't have specific numbers for 2009 but Pancreatic Cancer has the highest mortality rate of any cancer with 99% It can affect anyone of any age, race, and sex, but 80% of cases are diagnosed in men over 60. Men are 20% more likely to develop it than women. Black men are up to 50% more likely than men from other races.

Question: Does anyone have pancreatic cancer? My husband has had whipple operation but still is having alot of pain. Does anybody else have this or know of anyone that does? His is a rare form where it is located and the doctors don't have any statistics to go by. If you know people who've had this how long have they lived?

Answer: Your husband went through a major surgery. Certainly is the procedure indicated for pancreatic carcinoma, but regarding the life expectancy, it is only possible to talk about averages. Probably that’s the reason why your Husband’s surgeon does not want to tell you how much your partner is going to live. It is simply impossible to predict as soon as finished the operation in some cases and if you ask for a precise period, then even more uncertain. Medicine is not an exact science; some people can undergo quite longer time than others. The reason why pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis is more due to the difficult and usually late detection. I am sorry to tell you that the average is 12-15 month survival after the operation. This should not be your main concern, but the quality of life that your husband can have during this difficult period. Management of pain is the priority, even though I fully understand your concern about his life expectancy. Usually surgeons give a very categorical idea of the severity of this disease. As I told you before, a Whipple operation is not a simple procedure and only a surgeon with great experience can perform such an intervention. Get ready, my Dear, to face a very hard moment. Give all your love to your Husband, and let him talk if he feels that is time to arrange some emotional or material pendant issues. To deny or minimize what a sick person feels unless the complaints are not true, is not the best approach. In case that you are not able to deal with this very painful situation, then ask openly for psychological support at the hospital for your husband and his family. Usually the pain can be treated with morphine, but if this excellent pain killer is not enough the specialists in pain will certainly find the best alternative to deal with your Husband’s physical suffering. I only can tell you to try to get strong and be in touch with your family and friends in this moment. If you are a believer, then I am sure you will accept easily his destiny. Sincerely I hope my answer could contribute to clarify the confusion you should be going through at this moment. It is never easy to deal with your partner’s severe sickness and keep on looking positive to him. Just be honest with yourself and reasonable. Get emotional support since it will be a difficult moment for both of you. Do not hesitate to send me a message if I can help you a little bit further. Fro

Question: my boyfriends dad is dying from cancer...help me? My boyfriends dad (47 years old) was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He is starting chemo only one week after this diagnosis. I guess that this cancer is moving fast and it scares me to even think that he is dying. I need help with two things; 1.) I want to know everything about pancreatic cancer. If there is anything i can do to help him and maybe some statistics about pancreatic cancer. 2.) I want to be the best girlfriend that anyone could ever imagine at a time like this. My boyfriend acts normal in school but there are little hints that remind me how much this is hurting him. I don;t know what to say or how to bring up the topic of his dad, if thats a good idea. if anyone has any experiences like this i would love to hear them to help me be strong for my boyfriend who is the most sweet, sentimental, polite guy that i have ever met. lastly please pray for this family and my boyfriend. thanks

Answer: Certainly I will pray for your boyfriend and his dad and you. 1. Go to www.WebMD.com and look up pancreatic cancer. There will be a topic overview, symptoms, treatment, home treatment, just keep clicking on all the pages for it and you'll have a very good understanding of it. And it's a very reputable site. 2. Be a good listener. Be able to be calm and quiet around him and don't try to cheer him up if he doesn't want that. It's hard to be around people acting cheery when you are hurting. Also some of the normal natural stages of grief that can come in any order are denial, anger, blame, etc so however he feels at any given point, it's normal and ok for him to feel that way. It's a stage. And he could go through those stages for many years after his dad's death. The final stage of grief is just acceptance. And take your cues from him, if he wants to talk about it he will, if he doesn't don't press the issue. Sorry you are dealing with this.

Question: Re: Patrick Swayze. If you had pancreatic cancer would you follow the western medicine recomendations ..? Such as chemo...even though the statistics for survival are grim? Or would you try an alternative treatment? Doing both is an option many choose and usually also with grim results. Many alternative approaches focus on returning your body to its FULL fighting capacity...impossible under the effects of chemo. Shows that supposedly "discuss" both sides give watered down versions of the alternative treatments, at least the ones I've seen and are geared mainly towards glorifying mainstream medicine. The whole idea of "proven to work" is so tied up in who has the MONEY to fund "research" that they then can manipulate. A 4% 1 year survival rate sounds MIGHTY grim to me...don't think anything alternative, diligently and comprehensively applied can be worse than that!! Many times people undertake a half hearted and diluted alternative measure after all conventional therapies have left them hopeless. I would WELCOME the true study of a diligently applied TOTAL immersion into a natural healing approach sans the poisons! Thumbs up for all!!

Answer: Honestly, on that particular type of cancer, I would probably stick mainly with western medicine, and just take a few things from the eastern traditions. Pancreatic cancer is such a grim type--there are types where the 5-year survival rate is great, but that isn't one of them. Because of where it is located, it usually metastasizes quickly to some of the other internal organs. In fact, with a lot of patients, it's already moved on before they even find it. I do believe in the powers of eastern medicine. I think anyone who has ever even scratched the surface of the subject would be foolish to not believe in it. However, it takes time to work. I would be more inclined to use it with a slower moving cancer. Pancreatic is just so fast...like a wildfire out of control. I am sure you have heard of the Cancer Treatment Centers of America--they use the holistic approach, and incorporate eastern medicine into their treatment. I happen to live in Salt Lake City, and we have an excellent cancer treatment center here, as well. It's called the Huntsman Cancer Research Hospital (Huntsman is a millionaire who does a lot of philanthropic work--his son is also our governor). Between that hospital, and the University of Utah Medical Center, which is pretty much a cutting-edge teaching and research hospital, there are good options for a cancer patient where I live. Both use a combination of medical traditions, though the U of U tends to lean a bit more heavily on the western medicine. Either way, if I had to deal with it, that's where I would go (the two organizations work together). I was saddened to hear about Mr. Swayze's cancer, mostly because it's such an awful type to have. It's not like there's a good type of cancer, but some are a lot worse, and his, unfortunately, is one of the bad ones. The other reason I was saddened is because he seems like such a nice and positive person. Whatever the outcome, I am sure that he will fight hard, try to stay upbeat, and deal with it all with a great deal of dignity.