Craig's Cause produces Canada's first Pancreatic Cancer Commercial!

Craig's Cause Raises Awareness of Pancreatic Cancer in Canada

March 13, 2012 (Halifax) ­ Craig's Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society is increasing awareness of pancreatic cancer with its release of the first pancreatic cancer awareness commercial in Canada. The commercial features four survivors of the disease, which is expected to take the lives of 3,900 Canadians this year.

"Year after year, pancreatic cancer remains under-publicized and yet it has the highest fatality rate of all cancers," said Craig's Cause founder Stefanie Condon-Oldrieve. "The first step toward beating this disease is awareness. With this commercial, we're trying to take that step."

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, 4,000 Canadians will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2012. Between four and six per cent of those patients will survive five years beyond diagnosis, compared to 62 per cent of all cancer patients.  Yet, annually, pancreatic cancer receives less than 0.8 per cent of all cancer research funding in Canada.

"I am fortunate enough to have won my battle with pancreatic cancer," said Kelly Power, one of the pancreatic cancer survivors featured in the commercial. "But thousands of Canadians will not be as fortunate and I am so proud to be part of something that will finally bring to light the battles we've faced."

The commercial is being sent to broadcasters nationally and is also available for viewing on YouTube. 

Craig's Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society was founded in 2006 in memory of Craig Schurman Condon, who lost his life to pancreatic cancer eight weeks after diagnosis. Its mission is to provide information and support to those with pancreatic cancer and their families, to create awareness of the disease and to raise research funds leading to earlier detection, better treatments and better quality of life for patients. For more information, please visit http://www.craigscause.ca.

 

Maritime Bike Tour 2012 Information

Join our team of 25 cyclists and travel around the scenic Maritime Provinces, while being inspired by stories of courage and hope along the way! This is an experience that GIVES and RECEIVES! 

Can't cycle, but would still like to help? Ask about our Pedal Partner program and still make a difference in the lives of so many!

Cyclists will receive: team training sessions (starting in late April), 2 jerseys, accomodations, support vehicle, food and memories to last a lifetime!

For more information contact Jeff at: maritimebiketour@craigscause.ca

Click on thumbnail at left to see full size poster.

Advances in diagnosis, treatment and palliation of pancreatic carcinoma: 1990-2010

Several advances in genetics, diagnosis and palliation of pancreatic cancer (PC) have occurred in the last decades. A multidisciplinary approach to this disease is therefore recommended. PC is relatively common as it is the fourth leading cause of cancer related mortality. Most patients present with obstructive jaundice, epigastric or back pain, weight loss and anorexia. Despite improvements in diagnostic modalities, the majority of cases are still detected in advanced stages. The only curative treatment for PC remains surgical resection. No more than 20% of patients are candidates for surgery at the time of diagnosis and survival remains quite poor as adjuvant therapies are not very effective. A small percentage of patients with borderline non-resectable PC might benefit from neo-adjuvant chemoradiation therapy enabling them to undergo resection; however, randomized controlled studies are needed to prove the benefits of this strategy. Patients with unresectable PC benefit from palliative interventions such as biliary decompression and celiac plexus block. Further clinical trials to evaluate new chemo and radiation protocols as well as identification of genetic markers for PC are needed to improve the overall survival of patients affected by PC, as the current overall 5-year survival rate of patients affected by PC is still less than 5%.

The aim of this article is to review the most recent high quality literature on this topic.   

High Quality Literature Review on Pancreatic Cancer

Deadliest cancers overlooked by charity donors: Study

Young said the truth is, those afflicted with the deadliest cancers aren't getting the chance to speak out for their cause and to ask the public for support —they're not living long enough to do so. 

Breast, leukemia, childhood cancers ask loudly and frequently whereas other cancers like pancreatic, stomach, lung and colorectal don't have a voice," Young said.

The following links are to newspapers articles that came out today and to the actual study released "Cancer in Canada" by Charity Intelligence Canada. Although not surprising it speaks to the less then acceptable funding of Pancreatic Cancer. 0.8% of research funding is allocated to Pancreatic Cancer. 0.1% of donations are directed to Pancreatic Cancer.

We CAN change this! Get involved.......HELP us change these statistics......it happened for Breast Cancer.....it can happen for Pancreatic Cancer.

Read more:

Cancer In Canada Report
Tuesday, April 26^th, 2011 ~ Global News
http://www.globalnews.ca/Deadliest+cancers+overlooked+charity+donors+study/4678323/story.html 
Tuesday, April 26th, 2011 ~ Vancouver Sun

http://www.canada.com/health/Deadliest+cancers+overlooked+charity+donors+Study/4678286/story.html#ixzz1KgEF9gq4

CBC Health Report