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
