New Report: ACS Cancer Facts and Figures 2023 reports five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer increased to 12%

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has released its Cancer Facts & Figures 2023, an annual summary of the current scientific information about cancer. The report highlighted progress in the five-year survival rate of pancreatic cancer while the incidence trend continues to increase year over year. 

The overall risk of cancer is declining, but it remains the second leading cause of death for Americans, behind heart disease. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth deadliest cancer in both men and women.  

• The incidence trend for pancreatic cancer has increased by approximately 1% per year since the 1990s, an estimated 64,050 Americans will be diagnosed in 2023.  
• The five-year relative survival rate is now 12% – an increase of 1% since last year.  
• For the 15% of those diagnosed with localized disease — the five-year survival rate is now 44%, reflecting a 2% increase from last year.  

While the 1% increase in the five-year survival rate is cause for celebration, it is nowhere near good enough. The Lustgarten Foundation is committed to addressing the critical need for pancreatic cancer breakthroughs. The Foundation supports research with the greatest potential impact by focusing on three key areas: early detection, drug development, and personalized medicine. 

The Lustgarten Foundation’s new grant programs, including the Innovation and Collaboration Program (ICAP) and the Lustgarten Equity, Accessibility, and Diversity (LEAD) Project, approach pancreatic cancer research more creatively than ever. These grants provide funding for highly innovative science (ICAP) and address and mitigate racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in pancreatic cancer incidence and outcomes (LEAD). Furthermore, the LABS (Lustgarten Advancing Breakthrough Science) Program, the Clinical Accelerator Initiative, and the Therapeutics-Focused Research Program, among other high-risk, high-reward projects, and collaborations,  accelerate research progress into solutions in the clinic.  The Foundation prioritizes bold research to advance progress and realize a future with better treatment options and outcomes for all pancreatic cancer patients. 

“Research produces real results—and is the only way we will transform pancreatic cancer into a curable disease,” said Linda Tantawi, Lustgarten Foundation CEO. “The projected 175 new patients diagnosed today, tomorrow, and every day this year are relying on us for the potential for more tomorrows: for hope.”