1. Pancreatic cancer develops when malignant cells form in the tissues of the pancreas.
2. There are two types of pancreatic cancer:
   • Exocrine tumors: This type of cancer forms in the pancreas ducts.
   • Endocrine tumors: These tumors are less common and are almost always benign.
3. Pancreatic cancer is the 10th most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States.
4. An estimated 44,030 new cases of pancreatic cancer developed in 2011.
5. Risk factors that can increase the chance of developing pancreatic cancer:
   • Smoking cigarettes
   • Alcohol
   • Diabetes
   • Poor diet
6. 90% of people suffering from pancreatic cancer are 55 years of age and older.
7. Doctors can diagnose pancreatic cancer through a physical exam, biopsy (removal of tissue from pancreas), ultrasound, MRI, CT scan (X-ray of internal organs), and more.
8. Based on rates from 2005-2007, 1.41% of men and women (1 in 17) born today will develop pancreatic cancer at one point in their lives.
9. The survival rate from 2001-2007 was 21.5% localized (cancer confined to one area) and 8.6% regional (spread to the lymph nodes).
10. An estimated 37,660 people have died from pancreatic cancer in the past year.
11. Because pancreatic cancer is one of the most complex cancers to treat, there are many aggressive treatments such as pancreatic surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or gastroenterology.

Save a life today. It's as easy as getting your cheek swabbed! GO [1]

Sources:

Cancer Treatment Centers of America [2]

National Cancer Institute [3]