$50m funding needed for research into pancreatic cancer cure

It is one of the most deadly cancers, yet pancreatic cancer has next to no funding to help improve survival rates. Mother-of-two Kristin Washbourne says she is “bloody lucky” to be alive six years after being diagnosed and wants more funding for research.

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The words “lucky” and “pancreatic cancer” usually don’t go together.

Less than one in 10 people with pancreatic cancer are alive just five years after being diagnosed.

Kristin Washbourne was told the grim news at age 45 in January 2013.

The Balgowlah mother-of-two young children is now 51.

“I am really bloody lucky I’m still here because the survival statistics are crazy,” Ms Washbourne told The Sunday Telegraph.

Kristin Washbourne, pictured with her daughter Maria and son Ethan, has survived pancreatic cancer which has a very low survival rate. Picture: Toby Zerna

In Australia, 3300 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer every year and The Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation has released a new report which outlines the devastating toll of the fifth most common cancer that receives minimal funding for research.

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An estimated 3051 Australians will die from the disease in 2019 and the five year survival rate is at eight per cent and has barely improved in decades, the report highlights.

The report found a $52 million investment was required to help researchers improve treatment and survival rates.

“Pancreatic cancer’s stagnant survival rate won’t change until the government changes the way it distributes its funding of medical research,” Foundation founder Caroline Kelly said.

Unlike breast and prostate cancer, where generous funding levels have seen survival rates improve to 90 per cent, pancreatic cancer attracted the least amount of government funding.

“The survival rates reflect the lack of funding,” Ms Kelly said.

“The evolution of treatment and early diagnosis of many cancers can be traced back to the high level of government funding allocated to improving the outcomes of those diagnosed with the disease.”

Kristin Washbourne said she is “bloody lucky” to be alive to raise her children Maria, 12, and Ethan, 9. Picture: Toby Zerna

Ms Washbourne’s experience was typical — the cancer has few symptoms and no early warning signs.

“I thought I had indigestion and mentioned it to the doctor and he said take Zantac,” Ms Washbourne said.

Only a scan for gallstones after a bout of jaundice picked up the tumour in her pancreas which allowed doctors to operate and remove the tumour followed by chemotherapy and radiation.

Ms Kelly said the lack of symptoms meant too many were diagnosed too late.

“The organ itself is hidden; there are no obvious symptoms; there isn’t an early warning test; and while innovative treatment methods such as immunotherapy have dramatically improved the prognosis of other cancers, historically it has no impact on pancreatic cancer. 80 per cent are not caught early enough for surgery and the median survival is between six and 12 months,” she said

Professor Ross McKinnon, Chairman, Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation Scientific Advisory Panel said death rates remain high relative to other cancers given the absence of specific symptoms and resistance to even the most advanced therapies.

“We need to fast-track research to identify early detection strategies and treatment methods, and we need funding from government to be able to do this,” Prof McKinnon said.