November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, and advocates nationwide are hosting events to unite the community and raise awareness about the condition.
For this year’s campaign, The National Pancreas Foundation is particularly highlighting the importance of early detection. Overall, only 12% of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer live five years after diagnosis — but when caught early, that rate can climb as high as 80%.
The foundation is also calling for greater research funding and more awareness of pancreatic cancer risk factors and healthcare disparities — such as the fact people who are Black are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer.
“Awareness matters: early detection saves lives, research needs funding, and equality in access to care can make a profound difference,” the foundation states on its website.
Foundation, advocates host webinars, in-person events throughout November
In addition to webinars already available online, the National Pancreas Foundation will be hosting two webinars in November — one on screening technologies geared toward healthcare professionals (Nov. 7), and another focused on general pancreas health (Nov. 24). The foundation is also hosting an in-person event in Chicago on Nov. 8 and encouraging supporters to connect with local chapters to plan additional gatherings.
Other pancreatic cancer advocacy organizations are also hosting in-person events this November. Project Purple is participating in the New York City Marathon, hosting a pickleball tournament, and running an auction fundraiser.
In Iowa, the Dr. Brent Ohl Strong Pancreatic Cancer Support and Awareness Organization will host its 10th annual Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Tailgate on Nov. 15. The organization, which supports people affected by pancreatic cancer across the greater
“This tailgate is more than just a pre-game party,” Ohl said in a press release from the organization. “It’s a chance for us to stand together, educate others and support the fight against a disease that touches so many lives.”
According to the American Association for Cancer Research, pancreatic cancer is currently the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. and is expected to become the second leading cause by 2030. In 2025, about 67,440 people in the U.S. are projected to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and approximately 51,980 are expected to die from the disease.
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