According to the American Cancer Society, about 22,740 men and 22,480 women will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer during the year 2013, and the disease will claim the lives of 19,480 men and 18,980 women by the year’s end. And while this disease is undoubtedly deadly, awareness of pancreatic cancer is not as prevalent as that of other medical conditions. In an attempt to alter that situation, advocacy groups have embraced November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, hoping to drive interest in prevention, research and fundraising efforts in an attempt to minimize the impact of pancreatic cancer. With rates of pancreatic cancer increasing annually, awareness efforts are particularly important for reversing the trend.
Groups such as the Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Network are leading the charge to increase pancreatic cancer awareness and research opportunities. The Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Network notes that it will award more than $5.1 million in research grants in 2014, and the group’s attempts to increase pancreatic cancer awareness have helped dramatically increase donations to the National Cancer Institute for research on this disease. The Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Network explains that institutional funding often follows organizational contributions, as the network’s “research grant recipients have gone on to receive $9.93” for every dollar of network funding between 2003 and 2011.
Increasing awareness of pancreatic cancer is vital to advancing research efforts, and so far, the funding has helped make a difference. Over the past several years, scientists have conducted a wide range of important research initiatives, including investigating the effects of radioactive bacteria on battling pancreatic cancer; uncovering where tumor cells get their energy; examining the effect antioxidant consumption on tumors; and attempting to improve drug delivery to pancreatic tumor sites.
Researchers have also looked into the risk factors for pancreatic cancer. Among the known risk factors are smoking, which approximately doubles pancreatic cancer risk; gender, as men are about 30 percent more likely to develop the condition; and age, as about nine out of ten pancreatic patients are at least 55 years of age.
In addition to these causes, certain medications have been linked with increased pancreatic cancer risk. Specifically, the diabetes drug Actos has been shown to increase the incidence of pancreatic cancer. If you have been using Actos or another prescription medication and have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, contact a pancreatic cancer attorney. A pancreatic cancer attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options and move forward with your life. If you need a pancreatic cancer attorney to assist you or a loved one, contact Attorney Group.
Attorney Group wants to assist you. Attorney Group will work to understand the unique circumstances of your situation and help you decide if you have a claim you wish to pursue. Our affiliated pancreatic cancer attorneys can help you seek compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering. We will help you assess your case, answer any questions you may have about related lawsuits or medications, and, if you have a valid case, connect you with a qualified attorney at no cost.
