Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

November is National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. This cancer is the “number 4” cancer killer of men and women in the U.S. (the first three are lung, colorectal and breast cancers). Unfortunately, a cure does not exist and survival has not improved that much in the last 25 years. Over 39,000 people died from Pancreatic Cancer in 2014.

Several studies show that a certain type of pancreatic cyst can progress to pancreatic cancer. In addition, you are more likely to get pancreatic cancer if you have a family history of this cancer, if you smoke, if you are obese, or if you have chronic pancreatitis.

Research is focusing on new drugs for managing pancreatic cancer and disease as well as genetic testing to help screen people before cancer develops. Dr. Bimaljit Sandhu  is a nationally recognized expert on pancreatic disease and cancer. Prior to joining our practice, he served on the VCU faculty and served as Director of Pancreatic Disorders. Throughout his career, he has actively participated in pancreatic research in an effort to improve treatments.

Below are links to a few of his studies / publications:

Chronic pancreatitis pain pattern and severity are independent of abdominal imaging findings

Mechanisms of CFTR functional variants that impair regulated bicarbonate permeation and increase risk for pancreatitis but not for cystic fibrosis

Common genetic variants in the CLDN2 and PRSS1-PRSS2 loci alter risk for alcohol-related and sporadic pancreatitis

Recurrent flares of pancreatitis predict development of exocrine insufficiency in chronic pancreatitis