Press Release

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings joined his colleagues to pass H.Res.257, highlighting the need for improved investment in pancreatic cancer research. Congressman Cummings was the lead Democratic sponsor of the resolution.

“With people dying an average of three to six months after diagnosis, pancreatic cancer is not just a disease; it is a death sentence,” Congressman Cummings said. “This is simply unacceptable in a society with our level of technology and medical services, and I am proud to have joined my colleagues today calling on an improved investment in research to help give our loved ones a fighting chance.”

Pancreatic cancer, which recently took the life of operatic icon Luciano Pavarotti, is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States and the third leading cause of death among 40-59 year-old men; this particularly affects African Americans, whose incidence rate of pancreatic cancer is 40 to 50 percent higher than other ethnic groups.

No significant improvement in survival rates has been made in the last twenty-five years, and there are currently no early detection methods and only minimal treatment options available for pancreatic cancer.  Only 1.5 percent of the National Cancer Institute’s nearly $4.75 billion cancer research budget for 2006 went toward pancreatic cancer.

“It is unfortunate that our commitment to pancreatic cancer research does not match the cancer’s impact,” Congressman Cummings said. “Today’s resolution is the first step in helping the estimated 33,000 Americans who will die of pancreatic cancer this year.”

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