Pancreatic Cancer Research Program, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs

Vision – Reduce the burden of pancreatic cancer among Service members, Veterans, their families, and the American public

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Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive disease that is difficult to detect. There is no screening test available to identify the disease, and because there may be no symptoms present, it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, after the cancer has spread to other organs in the body. Standard treatment avenues for cancer, such as chemotherapy and radiation, have limited effectiveness in pancreatic cancer patients.

Based on current SEER data from the National Cancer Institute, there were an estimated 56,770 new cases of pancreatic cancer diagnosed in the U.S. during 2019. Pancreatic cancer is also the eleventh most common type of cancer in the United States, representing 3.2% of all new cancer diagnoses every year. The five-year survival rate for those with pancreatic cancer is just over 9%. Since 2011, the CDMRP has funded pancreatic cancer research through the Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP).

For FY20, the U.S. Congress established the Pancreatic Cancer Research Program (PCARP) in the DoD appropriation with an appropriation of $6M. With this new program, PCARP will continue to invest in research focusing on advancing our understanding of pancreatic cancer for the benefit of Service members, Veterans, their families, and the American public.

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