Pancreatic cancer second most deadly by 2030, study shows

A new study suggests pancreatic cancer will become the second leading cause of cancer deaths by the year 2030.

Researchers project lung cancer will still top the list, but pancreatic and liver cancers will jump to the second and third spots surpassing breast, prostate and colorectal cancers.

Just 6 percent of pancreatic cancer patients survive more than five years after diagnosis. The Action Network says that’s due largely to the fact that pancreatic cancer is diagnosed late, metastisizes very early and is difficult to treat.

According to the group, the growing number of older people, the increase in diabetes and obesity, as well as smoking are also expected to result in more cases and deaths from pancreatic cancer.

It’s estimated that 73 percent of patients will die in the first year of diagnosis.

Agencies/Canadajournal