Giving Hope to Those Affected by Pancreas Cancer

Research Project Update

It is estimated that this year, within the United States, there will be approximately 44,030 new diagnoses of pancreas cancer and the number per year is on the rise.  In the general U.S. population, the lifetime chance of developing pancreas cancer is 1 in 71.  It is the ninth most commonly occurring cancer, yet it is the fourth leading cause of cancer related deaths.  The 5-year survival rate for pancreas cancer is 6%.  The majority of these cases will be diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease beyond the ability of curative intervention which translates into over 37,000 cancer related deaths.  However, when discovered at an early stage, the curative rate of pancreas cancer increases dramatically through the use of surgery and chemotherapy.  There are some known risk factors that are associated with the development of pancreas cancer such as family history, Lynch Syndrome (another hereditary cancer syndrome), and BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations as well as age, smoking, and obesity.  Individuals at high risk for pancreas cancer would clearly benefit from a screening test, and therefore, represent the communities that would most benefit from this project. 

Goals for Improved Survival from Pancreas Cancer

PROJECT 1 - A valid screening test for pancreas cancer (which presently does not exist) will change the approach to healthcare delivery by increasing the detection of early stage disease at diagnosis when it is more likely to be curable. 

PROJECT 2 - A valid screening test that is a harbinger of the recurrence of pancreas cancer at a time when reinitiation of therapy can succeed.

PROJECT 3 - Development of targeted therapy for recurrent pancreas cancer that causes a minimum of side-effects.

For more information about our research project and our researchers, please visit our RESEARCH PAGE.

For additional information, contact Sheila Sky Kasselman @ 248-978-9845 / sheilakasselman@skyfoundationinc.org.

Sheila Sky Kasselman, Five Years From Diagnosis

When I was diagnosed with pancreas cancer in October 2007, I was surprised to learn that there was no test for the early detection of this terrible disease.  And yet, pancreas cancer spreads rapidly and silently.  It is seldom detected in an early phase, making it a leading cause of cancer death with only six percent of diagnosed patients living five years after discovery. In my case, I was diagnosed early and responded positively to chemotherapy, radiation and Whipple surgery.

In June 2008, it was my privilege to create Sky Foundation, Inc. with a dedicated team of researchers and volunteers.  As we enter our fifth year, we are moving forward and closer to discovery on three research projects for the early detection of pancreas cancer, and we continue to raise awareness of this daunting disease.  Thanks to our generous donors who fund our research, we are providing hope and help in unraveling the silence and devastation of this intimidating disease.