The Savannah affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network — the national organization responsible for research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure — recently commended Hinesville community leaders for introducing a proclamation recognizing November as National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. The action draws attention to the need for research funding for early detection tools and effective treatment options for patients.

“The Savannah Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network would like to thank the leaders in Hinesville for recognizing November as National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month,” Volunteer Advocacy Coordinator Beth Willis-Stevenson said. “With the continued support, we will work towards increasing federal funding and local awareness for this terrible disease.”

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.

Despite improved survival rates for many other forms of cancer, pancreatic cancer remains the only cancer tracked by the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute that still has a five-year relative survival rate in the single digits at 6 percent.

Pancreatic cancer cases and deaths have been on the rise since 1998 and are expected to increase by 55 percent by 2030.

Currently, research dedicated to pancreatic cancer receives approximately 2 percent of the federal dollars distributed by the NCI, and there is no long-term and comprehensive strategy in place to improve survival.

The Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act (SB 362/HB 733) will ensure that the NCI develops a long-term comprehensive strategic plan for developing early diagnostics and treatment options that will increase the survival rate for pancreatic cancer patients.

The bill, introduced in the Senate by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and in the House by Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Ca., and Rep. Leonard Lance, R-N.J., is receiving broad bipartisan support from legislators.

To learn more about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, go to www.pancan.org.