One of the doctors behind the Sandler-Kenner Foundation talks about the benefits the finding may offer.

Irving, TX — Pancreatic cancer has long been noted for having one of the deadliest track records of all forms of cancer. With a five-year survival rate of less than 10 percent, the disease claims an estimated 41,000 American lives annually. New research, however, may have unlocked valuable information in the fight against this form of cancer. Once thought to be a rapidly formed cancer that was quick to spread, researchers say that may not be the case.

“New research indicates it may, in fact, take up to 20 years from this disease’s first appearance in the body until the point it becomes especially deadly,” says Dr. Gregory Echt, one of the physicians behind the Sandler-Kenner Foundation and the founder and lead surgeon at Choice Cancer Care. “Should the findings hold up to greater scrutiny, the information could help yield more readily accessible screening tools.”

Like many forms of cancer, pancreatic cancer is most successfully treated in its earliest stages. This form of cancer, however, presents with few, if any, symptoms at its onset. Complicating matters, pancreatic cancer’s symptoms mirror those of many other conditions. That fact can lead to delays in diagnosis.

“If the study is accurate that pancreatic cancer is slow to develop, the information may add to the sense of urgency to develop easier screening tools for physicians to use,” explains Dr. Echt. “With no readily available screening tool appropriate for more widespread use at this time, many cases simply go undetected until they’ve progressed to later stages.”

People who are at especially high risk for the development of pancreatic cancer will find some screening tests are available should concerns arise. Common risk factors for this form of cancer include diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, family history, obesity and cirrhosis of the liver, among others. If risk factors are a concern, people are urged to talk with their healthcare providers.

To find out more about pancreatic cancer and steps that are being taken to fight it, visit the Sandler-Kenner Foundation online. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to helping advance research that may lead to a cure for pancreatic cancer.

About The Sandler-Kenner Foundation
The Sandler-Kenner Foundation, established in 2007 as the Las Colinas Cancer Center Foundation, was renamed in early 2011 in the memory of Michael Sandler and Peter Kenner, both of whom passed away from pancreatic cancer, a lethal disease that is difficult to diagnose until it has reached an advanced stage.