Shedding Light on Pancreatic Cancer

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., March 29 /PRNewswire/ — The following is being issued by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Inc.:

WHAT

More than 1,400 people will die from pancreatic cancer this year in the state of Illinois alone. An estimated 33,730 new cases will be diagnosed and 32,300 deaths will occur from pancreatic cancer in 2006 nationwide. As the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths — with a 99% mortality rate — pancreatic cancer is often called a “silent” disease because early symptoms are rare and may indicate other health problems.

Next month, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Inc. (PanCAN), with Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, is hosting a two-day symposium for people with pancreatic cancer and their loved ones. This unique educational event will include information sessions on survivorship, innovations in pancreatic cancer treatment, and managing quality of life.

   WHEN   Friday, April 7, 2006    Saturday, April 8, 2006   8:30 AM – 5 PM (CDT)     8 AM – 11:30 AM (CDT)    WHERE   Northwestern Memorial Hospital Conference Center   251 East Huron, 3rd Floor   Chicago, IL    WHO   * Dr. Mark Talamonti, surgical oncologist, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive     Cancer Center   * Julie Fleshman, President and CEO, PanCAN   * Patients, survivors, family members and health professionals   

The PanCAN Pancreatic Cancer Symposium is made possible by educational grants provided by Lilly, Genentech BioOncology, and OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Additional partner institutions include the Michael Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, Loyola University Health System, University of Chicago, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, Hematology Oncology Associates of Northern Illinois, and University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago.

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Inc.

CONTACT: Brooke Saltzer, +1-202-955-6222, ext. 2520,bsaltzer@spectrumscience.com, or Ashley Altieri, +1-202-955-6222, ext. 2567,aaltieri@spectrumscience.com, both for Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Inc.

Web site: http://www.pancan.org/