Pancreatic Cancer Deaths Continue to Rise; Five-Year Survival Rate Remains Stalled at 13% While All Cancers Combined Reach Milestone 70%

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Calls for Immediate, Sustained Investment in Research Toward Early Detection and Treatment to Increase Survival

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - (January 13, 2026) - Pancreatic cancer remains the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, behind lung and colorectal cancers. According to the American Cancer Society's Cancer Statistics, 2026, report released today, overall cancer mortality continues to decline and five-year survival for all cancers combined reached 70%, yet progress for pancreatic cancer has stalled. The five-year relative survival rate remains just 13%, and death rates, after decades of increase, show little improvement. Pancreatic cancer remains the deadliest major cancer and the only one with a five-year survival rate below 20%.

In 2026, an estimated 67,530 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and 52,740 are expected to die from the disease. This marks the third year in a row that the pancreatic cancer five-year survival rate has been reported to be 13%. This persistent lack of progress underscores a critical gap in early detection, effective treatment options, and research investment.

"Pancreatic cancer remains on track to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death by 2030, a devastating reality that demands action," said Anna Berkenblit, M.D., MMSc, PanCAN Chief Scientific and Medical Officer. "We must accelerate research, expand early detection strategies, and ensure patients have access to innovative therapies. Every delay in action costs lives."

Unlike lung, breast, prostate, cervical and colorectal cancers, pancreatic cancer still has no early detection or screening test for the general population, and most patients are diagnosed with advanced disease. The goal of early detection and effective screening strategies is to diagnose patients when their cancer is at an earlier stage, which is associated with better outcomes.

"We've seen how sustained research investment has transformed outcomes for other cancers. Pancreatic cancer has been underfunded and understudied for far too long," said Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA, PanCAN President and Chief Executive Officer. "We cannot wait any longer to ensure patients have access to earlier detection, better treatments, and equitable care. Congress, donors, and the research community must act now to provide sustained investment in pancreatic cancer research, support policies that expand patient access, and empower communities to fight this deadly disease."

PanCAN remains deeply committed to changing outcomes for patients and accelerating progress against this disease. To increase survival, PanCAN leads by:

• Advancing early detection research. PanCAN is completing the one-year follow-up of more than 8,800 participants in its Early Detection Initiative - a landmark study of individuals with new-onset diabetes, the most significant non-genetic risk factor for pancreatic cancer. This dataset is among the first of its kind and could help shape future national screening guidelines.
• Accelerating the development of personalized treatments. Building on recent FDA approvals and decades of sustained investment, PanCAN is uniting leaders across the field to drive collaboration, aggressively strengthen the research pipeline by funding and mentoring early-career investigators, and expand access to critical data through the SPARK health data platform - breaking down silos and accelerating progress. Central to this effort is PanCAN's commitment to advancing clinical trials that test novel therapies and precision medicine approaches, helping ensure patients can access and benefit from the most promising scientific breakthroughs as quickly as possible.
• Expanding patient support. Through PanCAN Patient Services, a comprehensive, no-cost pancreatic cancer support program, PanCAN is expanding its reach to ensure every patient, family, and caregiver, no matter who they are, where they live, or the barriers they face, receives timely, expert guidance and support.

Visit pancan.org for more information or follow PanCAN on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) is the leading organization dedicated to advancing progress against pancreatic cancer. We unite the pancreatic cancer community and push every boundary to create a world where survival is the norm - not the exception. PanCAN empowers patients and caregivers with the resources and knowledge they need to advocate for the care they deserve. We are pioneering the advancement of an early detection strategy for pancreatic cancer and revolutionizing the development of advanced and personalized treatments; and we are building and mobilizing the pancreatic cancer field to ensure better outcomes for all those who face pancreatic cancer today and all those who will fight this disease tomorrow. 

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Media Contacts:
Julie Vasquez, Senior Director, PR
PanCAN
310-697-9129
[email protected]

Charaighn Sesock, Associate Director, PR
PanCAN
559-972-4877
[email protected]