This post could have been titled "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly on Pancreatic Cancer in 2023."
Because that's exactly what the new statistics are revealing...
When
mom was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2010, she was one of 43,000 Americans being diagnosed.
Today, the
American Cancer Society finds that number on the rise... Over 64,000 men and women in America will be diagnosed with the disease this year.
That would be the Bad news.
Statistics also reveal that deaths from pancreatic cancer now outnumber deaths from breast cancer, and will likely exceed deaths from colorectal cancer soon, making it the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US by 2030.
That is the Ugly.
So, please, may there be some Good news?!
According to a recent
PanCan statement, the 5-year survival rate for Pancreatic Cancer has risen to 12%. I know... that number seems paltry... hard to call it good. But, 10 years ago, that survival rate was only 6%. The increased survival rate this year means that more than 7,600 of those newly diagnosed will be winning the battle 5 years from now.
That is Good News.
And here's the thing... statistics don't tell the whole story. Statistics cover overall population trends, not individual patient results. Every person is unique and their cancer battle is personal. And while cancer may not define you, it will change you.
It is why we tell our story... again and again. It is why we listen. Why we pray. The passion that drives our search for a cure. The hope that beats strong.
The belief that one day pancreatic cancer will only be a chapter in your life, not the whole story...
So in 2023, we continue the fight. As the number of pancreatic cancer diagnoses rises, the fight becomes more urgent.
It's our prayer that no one ever fights alone.
Walking this journey out together... In Love tonight,
Jane
