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Doctor’s say pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest kinds of cancers because of its symptoms.

Oncologist Dr. Chirag Jani says the symptoms are scary.   "I think the most common symptoms in our lead to pancreatic cancer is no symptom and that’s the reason we don’t catch it" says Dr. Jani.

Dr. Jani says when the symptoms do present, they are upper abdominal pain, sudden weight loss, and the yellowing of skin and eyes.

Although pancreatic cancer is less prevalent than other kinds of cancers, doctors at Phoebe Putney say they’re seeing more cases every year.  "We have seen quite a bit in southwest Georgia" says Dr. Jani.

The American Cancer Society says you may be surprised to learn exactly how deadly this cancer is.  "The American cancer society expected 42,470 new cases of pancreatic cancer in the United States this year.  The one year survival rate after you've been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer is only 24% and the five year survival rate is only 5%" says American Red Cross Communication Director Elissa McCrary.

Doctors currently treat pancreatic cancer with medication, chemotherapy, and surgery. 

For more information on pancreatic cancer visit the web sites below:

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=&dt=34

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pancreatic-cancer/DS00357

http://www.webmd.com/cancer/pancreatic-cancer/news/20090915/patrick-swayze-dies-of-pancreatic-cancer