The Office for National Statistics in the United Kingdom revealed that the five-year pancreatic cancer survival rate in England increased from 5 to 7 percent.

Photo Credit: Pancreatic Cancer Action

Even more promising, this 2 percent increase occurred in just one year!

The reason: developments in early diagnosis, says Ali Stunt, chief executive of Pancreatic Cancer Action and a pancreatic cancer survivor.

“The efforts and investments being made in pancreatic cancer research and early detection in the UK are commendable and the results are evident,” said Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA, president and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) and chair of the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition (WPCC). “Here in the U.S., we must continue to invest and expedite our efforts in advocacy, research, clinical initiatives and patient services in order to accelerate progress and double survival by 2020.”

This encouraging news mirrors the positive trend growing in our country.

Earlier this year, the American Cancer Society announced the five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer increased from 8 to 9 percent. This year marks the third consecutive year that the survival rate increased one percentage point.

Worldwide, pancreatic cancer is the seventh most common cause of cancer-related death in men and women combined. Only 2 to 10 percent of those diagnosed survive five years.

The World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition is working to change these odds and drive transformational change for all those affected by pancreatic cancer. PanCAN and Pancreatic Cancer Action are members of the global coalition representing more than 40 organizations.

“We’re on the right path and must continue to fight for better outcomes for all pancreatic patients,” added Fleshman.

Read the full report from the Office for National Statistics.

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