Pancreatic cancer is the 8th most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia. November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, and Cancer Australia is encouraging people to shine a light on this disease and participate in the public Consultation Hub for the National Pancreatic Cancer Roadmap.
New statistics released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) indicate in 2020 the lifetime risk of a person being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in Australia is estimated to be 1 in 54 and the lifetime risk of a person dying from pancreatic cancer is estimated to be 1 in 60.
“A diagnosis of pancreatic cancer can have an overwhelming impact on patients, their families and carers. It is a cancer unlikely to cause detectable symptoms in the early stages, and treatment options for late stage pancreatic cancer are limited. The National Pancreatic Cancer Roadmap will help us work towards better patient outcomes and survival,” said Professor Dorothy Keefe, CEO Cancer Australia.
The National Pancreatic Cancer Roadmap will identify key priority areas for action over the next five years to improve outcomes for people with pancreatic cancer. It will consider all aspects of the cancer pathway, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, supportive and palliative care.
“We welcome feedback and input from all sectors of the Australian community. You can choose to have your say in two ways through the Consultation Hub: by answering the questions in the online survey or by uploading a written submission or response with your feedback,” stated Professor Keefe.
The Consultation Hub will be live until 30 November 2020.
In March 2020, the Minister for Health, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, invited Cancer Australia to work with the Department of Health to develop the Roadmap, which is expected to be completed by December 2021.
For more information, visit Cancer Australia’s dedicated National Pancreatic Cancer Roadmap website.