Oklahoma patients who are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer often face a bleak prognosis. The five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is 8 percent, lower than any other major cancer. New research shows that pancreatic is becoming more common in the United States, and it will soon replace breast cancer as the third-leading cause of cancer-related death.
In January 2016, the American Cancer Society published its Cancer Statistics 2016 report, and the findings are helping to shine a light on pancreatic cancer. The CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network said that the statistics should remind people that there is a need for a national movement to look for new treatments for pancreatic cancer. She said that breast cancer advocates have shown what’s possible with more funding and focus.
Researchers believe that pancreatic cancer will result in the deaths of more than 40,000 people in 2016. Some of the factors that are influencing the rising rates of pancreatic cancer are the aging population, lack of early detection and lack of treatments. If the trend continues, pancreatic cancer will become the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in four years, according to a study by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
Cancer patients may have a better outcome if they receive an early diagnosis. However, some lose that opportunity because of doctor errors. If a doctor misdiagnoses a patient, and the patient’s cancer is allowed to progress, the doctor could be financially responsible for the patient’s resulting harm through a medical malpractice lawsuit filed with the help of an experienced attorney.