Pancreatic Cancer American scientists have projected that pancreatic cancer will become the second most common form of cancer in 2030. At this time, the most common form of cancer in the US are colorectal, lung, breast and then comes pancreatic followed by prostate and liver. The studies predict that in 2030, the leading form will be the Lung Cancer, followed by pancreatic, then liver and finally colorectal.
This increase is projected because of the changes in demographics. The major cause would be the increase in number of people older than 60, who have a higher risk of getting cancer. In addition, some ethnicities such as the African Americans are particularly at a higher risk of pancreatic cancer than the rest. Moreover, many improvements have been made in the studies and researches regarding certain forms of cancer such as the colorectal cancer and the scientists are close to finding their cure. However, this is not true for all cancers and diseases such as pancreatic and liver cancers are only getting worse.
Some cancers have become comparatively less dangerous due to much investment in their research. It is about time that the same be done with pancreatic cancer. It is currently the second most deadly cancer, with a very low survival rate. 94% of pancreatic cancer patients die within the first five years of the disease. This is because the cancer is currently being diagnosed at a very late stage. The awareness of the disease is very low and presently there are no screening tests for pancreatic cancer patients.
The projected deaths of men and women combined; in the US in 2030 are 156,000 from lung cancer, 63,000 due to pancreatic cancer, 51,000 due to liver
cancer and 47,000 from colorectal cancer. According to the total number of cases reported, breast cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancers will remain the top three cancers. The researchers also believe that colorectal cancer will be pushed down the ranking by thyroid cancer for spot number four.
This study is however based on the numbers in cancer disease between 2006 and 2010. Although, according to Ahmedin Jemal, (surveillance research vice president) the future cannot be predicted and the numbers are mostly very unrealistic. Jemal says that if the cures for liver or pancreatic cancers are found, the numbers will drastically change over the years. Two decades is plenty of time to change the statistics on cancer.
Source: http://www.researchomatic.com/pancreatic-cancer-6663.html