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November Marks Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

November 05, 2009

Moffitt Cancer Center Experts Available For Comment

WHAT: Moffitt physicians are available to discuss the latest on pancreatic cancer prevention, screening, treatment and research.

WHO: Mokenge P. Malafa, M.D., chief of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Program

Catherine Chodkiewicz, M.D., assistant member of the gastrointestinal tumor program

James F. Helm, M.D., Ph.D., associate member of the gastrointestinal tumor program

Pamela J. Hodul, MD, assistant member of the gastrointestinal tumor program

Richard C. Karl, MD, senior member of the gastrointestinal tumor program

Jason B. Klapman, MD, assistant member of the gastrointestinal tumor program

Larry K. Kvols, MD, senior member of the gastrointestinal tumor program

David Shibata, MD, associate member of the gastrointestinal tumor program

Gregory M. Springett, MD, PhD, assistant member of the gastrointestinal tumor program

Jonathan R. Strosberg, MD, assistant member of the gastrointestinal tumor program

Timothy J. Yeatman, MD, senior member of the gastrointestinal tumor program

CONTACT: Patty Kim, media relations coordinator, can be reached at (813) 745-7322 or patty.kim@moffitt.org.

STATISTICS: One in 72 men and women will be diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas during their lifetime. In 2009, an estimated 21,050 men and 21,420 women will be diagnosed with the cancer, and 35,240 will die.

Risk factors for developing pancreatic cancer include smoking; long-standing diabetes; chronic pancreatitis; and certain hereditary conditions such as hereditary pancreatitis, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome, hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC; Lynch syndrome), von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, ataxia-telangiectasia, and the familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome (FAMMM).

Possible signs of pancreatic cancer include jaundice, pain in the upper or middle abdomen and back, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite and fatigue. The disease is difficult to detect because there are no noticeable signs or symptoms in the early stages, the symptoms are similar to signs of many other illnesses and the pancreas is hidden behind other organs.

RESOURCES: Moffitt Cancer Center

Lifetime Cancer Screening & Prevention Center

General Information About Pancreatic Cancer

Moffitt Support Groups

Clinical Trials

Total Cancer Care

Cancer Answers

Moffitt Events Calendar