Paducah hospital, community leaders recognize Nov. as National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month | Community Spirit

MCCRACKEN COUNTY, KY (KFVS) - Western Kentucky’s volunteer team of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network applauds local leaders and Western Baptist Hospital for recognizing November as National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

McCracken County Judge Executive Van E. Newberry will issue a proclamation at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, at Western Baptist in the atrium of Doctors Office Building 2. Beginning that evening, the hospital’s lights will turn purple for the month.

Carol Foreman, community representative, said the local support aids their efforts.

“With the continued support,” she said, “we will work toward increasing federal funding and local awareness for this terrible disease.”

According to Western Baptist, pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Despite improved survival rates for many other forms of cancer, pancreatic cancer remains the only major cancer that still has a five-year relative survival rate in the single digits at 6 percent. The incidence and death rate for pancreatic cancer are increasing, and it is expected to move from the fourth to the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. by 2020, possibly as early 2015.

“With a cancer program among the nation’s top 5 percent, Western Baptist strives to provide educational information to the community on research, treatments and statistics to help in the fight against cancer,” said radiation oncologist Peter Locken, M.D.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure.

To learn more about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network visit www.pancan.org.

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