Pancreatic cancer

[Sackville]

My sister has sadly recently died of pancreatic cancer. Dispite having major surgery it soon came back in her liver. Sadly after fighting the disease after 6 years she sadly lost the battle! I was wondering if anybody knows anyone who has survived this type of cancer? Hopefully there’s hope for anyone currently fighting pancreatic cancer.

[Rowls]

Sorry for your loss Sackville.

Sadly, to my limited knowledge it's one of the deadliest cancers. My step-Grandfather died of this many years ago now but I remember the reported words of his oncologist as being "it will either kill you quickly or slowly".

We're making progress in treating cancers but there's still so much further to go. The hope we have rests in doing whatever we can to help us achieve better outcomes in the future.

[A.Claret.Fan]

I recall Wilko Johnson (Dr. Feelgood) having this. He refused medical treatment and was surprisingly given the all clear a year later.

[Jamesy]

My sister has sadly recently died of pancreatic cancer. Dispite having major surgery it soon came back in her liver. Sadly after fighting the disease after 6 years she sadly lost the battle! I was wondering if anybody knows anyone who has survived this type of cancer? Hopefully there’s hope for anyone currently fighting pancreatic cancer.

Really sad to hear of your sisters passing. Sadly pancreatic cancer is probably one of the worst cancers to get. My father and a close friend both died from it and had no real chance of beating it.
Cancer Research is one of three charities I regularly donate to. One day cancers like this may be beatable but probably not in mine or your lifetime. We can only hope.
Best wishes to you and your family in coming to terms with your loss.

[Paul Waine]

I recall Wilko Johnson (Dr. Feelgood) having this. He refused medical treatment and was surprisingly given the all clear a year later.

I read quite recently that Wilko Johnson had been mis-diagnosed. He didn't have pancreatic cancer, but another less serious health issue.

[Paul Waine]

A good friend died of pancreatic cancer in June 2021. He'd had back pain for some time, stopped him playing football. I met him in the street January 2021, I was out for a covid-19 exercise walk, he was coming home from seeing consultant. His wife was with him. He'd just been told he got pancreatic cancer and he'd got a few months, at best. He was 59. His funeral was a sad occasion, gone much too soon.

[ClaretAndJew]

Sorry to hear about your sister Sackville.

Pancreatic cancer is indeed one of the more insidious cancers, and, typically isn't something with a high survival rate. It also is typically too late when the symptoms have already started.

Here's hoping there is more research into it and measures to prolong life.

[Stalbansclaret]

My mum died from pancreatic cancer in 2016. She went from being outwardly healthy to passing away in about 3 months. I think it’s about the worst form of cancer in terms of survivability as things stand. Very sorry to hear of your own loss.

[mdd2]

In over 50 years I know three who had Whipples operation and were cured but it was where it presents early by causing jaundice
It presents late in most cases which is why it has such a poor outcome

[TomtheClaret]

So sorry to hear of your loss.
This cancer has plagued my family in the last 20 years.
My Dad in 2006, his sister in 2020. Numerous cousins in their 50s and 60s. 10 family members. Sadly no survivors (Is it even survivable?)
Shortest time was 8 days, Longest was 11 months. My dad was three months.
I remember the cancer nurse telling me bluntly (I had asked her not to gloss it or bullshit me) That this was considered to be one of the most painful cancers, and he would be given the best drugs to prevent pain, sadly he would sleep for days.
All the best UTC

[Jimmymaccer]

Firstly so glad to hear you had so long with your sister despite everything that will have no doubt impacted along that journey………. 5 years ago this weekend my mum passed away from this…….

Fit as heck, said she’d tummy ache in the August….by September we sat with her in the consultancy room to hear her being told she had stage 4 pancreatic cancer, nothing they could do other than slow down any progression - never felt so helpless, to hear her be told that. On the 25th October, having had one round of chemo which nearly killed her she said no more chemo……..Doc agreed, but said that meant she had between 6 to 8 weeks……sat in a coffee shop immediately after that, what do you say?

She did well up to the Christmas……….she lasted to the 27th jan.

This will sound shocking, but at the time Pancreatic cancer UK (?) coincidentally did an awareness campaign on tv, where a girl who had pancreatic cancer said “I wish I had breast cancer”………….meaning at least if it was that she had a f’ing chance………….obviously went down like a lead brick but I must admit when I saw it I totally understood …….

Horrific horrific thing…………no symptoms generally at all until it’s too late………………..too little investment in treatment/early diagnosis because of the low survival rates, and other cancers having higher success rates which means they get more focus………

Sorry to ramble, but even tho I’m an old. **er, I miss mum, and I’m sure every day the poster thinks of the fab times with his sister, even that nasty bstrd of a disease can’t take those memories away,

[bfcmatt]

My Dad passed away nearly 9 years ago from this awful disease, he went to the doctors several times over the years only to be told they didnt think there was anything seriously wrong with him, so wide ranging are the symproms. He finaly got his diagnosis and was given 6 months to live, he managed 2 weeks befor it took him, 2 weeks of seeing him so poorly it was heart breaking. He never lost his sense of humour though.

[Croydon Claret]

Sorry for your loss

Mrs C works at the Institute of Cancer Research in Surrey.

She tells me that one of the reasons it's still so deadly is that relatively little money is allocated towards specific research, hence there are very few experiments undertaken.

[Kilson810]

Sorry for your loss Sackville.

I can only hope they one day find a cure for it so others do not have to go through the same experiences as on this thread.

[Vintage Claret]

Sorry for your loss Sackville and I can totally sympathise with everyone on this thread who had lost loved ones to this horrible disease.

My mum passed away from pancreatic cancer aged just 46 back in 1976 when sadly the chances of survival then after diagnosis was virtually nil

[TomtheClaret]

Sorry for your loss Sackville and I can totally sympathise with everyone on this thread who had lost loved ones to this horrible disease.

My mum passed away from pancreatic cancer aged just 46 back in 1976 when sadly the chances of survival then after diagnosis was virtually nil

Vintage Claret, Not sure survival rates have improved much over the years? I don't have any figures to back it up, other than experience.
A passing acquaintance, aged 42, did three marathons in 3 days, a year before diagnosis and regular iron man contests before that, lasted two and a half years from diagnosis. without chemo. Not sure if chemo can cure or simply gives extra time?

[Vintage Claret]

Hi Tom, no sadly, I don't think survival rates have improved significantly - apparently only around 10% of patients with an early diagnosis survive up to 5 years (of course there are always exceptions, Apple founder Steve Jobs for example lasted 7 years).

From my very limited research on the subject, surgery to remove the tumour (if possible) is the primary treatment -chemo and/or radio therapy doesn't cure it but can ease the symptoms and extend life expectancy in some patients.

[mdd2]

Hi Tom, no sadly, I don't think survival rates have improved significantly - apparently only around 10% of patients with an early diagnosis survive up to 5 years (of course there are always exceptions, Apple founder Steve Jobs for example lasted 7 years).

From my very limited research on the subject, surgery to remove the tumour (if possible) is the primary treatment -chemo and/or radio therapy doesn't cure it but can ease the symptoms and extend life expectancy in some patients.

Steve Jobbs had I believe a neuroendocrine tumour of the pancreas which has a better life expectancy hence his 7 year survival

[mdd2]

The 5-year relative survival rate for a pancreas NET that has not spread to other parts of the body from where it started is 95%. If the tumor has spread to nearby tissue or the regional lymph nodes, the 5-year relative survival rate is 72%.

[BurnleyBob]

Very sorry to hear of your loss. My wife died 10 years ago after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 18 months before her death. She had three operations attempting the Whipple procedure which on the third occasion removed the tumour but sadly she died a couple of weeks later from an infection that led to sepsis.
I did meet someone who had survived this deadly cancer. I met him at the Burnley Park Run a few years ago and he told me his operation was successful and that he had made a full recovery. He was quite elderly too.
Unfortunately survival rates for this cancer have not improved in recent years.

[ClaretTony]

Sackville - so sorry to hear about your sister.

A good friend of mine lost his wife to pancreatic cancer around nine years ago. I learned then some more about it. His wife did some fundraising and she wrote: “Pancreatic cancer is the 5th most common cause of cancer death in the UK, with the lowest survival rate of the 21 most common cancers. Out of 100 patients diagnosed, under 4% of patients survive five years or more. Despite all this, Pancreatic Cancer receives only 1% of the total Cancer Research Spend. What is really terrifying is that in the last 40 years pancreatic cancer survival rates have barely changed.”

She sadly passed away fourteen months after diagnosis.

[mdd2]

I think there are or will be trials of immunotherapy for this type of cancer as chemotherapy doesnt offer much but not every pancreatic cancer will be suitable to have treated by immunotherapy, which gets the body to kill the tumour or starves the cancer of those factors that make the cells grow-all very clever and technical stuff.

[groove]

Sorry to hear this sad news about your sister mate. As another poster stated, Wilson Johnson recovered with no medal intervention. I think the treatment for most cancers is invasive and if in this situation I think I'd use as much natural remedies as possible. Maybe CBD etc. I don't trust big pharma though. Apologies if I seem insensitive. Sorry again.

[matucana]

Sorry to learn of your loss. It is a dreadful disease. A survivor of the disease is Chris Rea who was diagnosed in 1994. He had his pancreas removed along with his gallbladder and part of his liver. Last toured I believe in 2017 following the release of an album. Has been quiet of late. Has a huge back catalogue of music which is worth a listen. A much underrated artist of our time.

[blackbulllad]

I’m really sorry to hear about your sister. Pancreatic cancer is unbelievably cruel, and six years fighting it shows how strong she must have been. My aunt also passed from the same type, and it was heartbreaking watching how fast things progressed after it spread to her liver.

We tried everything to make her more comfortable, and one of the few things that helped ease some of the pain and anxiety toward the end was CBD oil. I’m not saying it’s a cure, of course, but it did seem to take the edge off, especially when the prescribed meds became too heavy. If anyone else is going through something similar, this is where I check CBD oil reviews before picking anything, it helped us find something trustworthy during a really difficult time

[BurnleyFC]

I lost my dad to this disease last year.

It’s almost certainly fatal once it’s been diagnosed as it doesn’t show any symptoms until it’s too late and has usually spread by then.

It’s a horrible illness.

[Fretters]

Sorry to learn of your loss. It is a dreadful disease. A survivor of the disease is Chris Rea who was diagnosed in 1994. He had his pancreas removed along with his gallbladder and part of his liver. Last toured I believe in 2017 following the release of an album. Has been quiet of late. Has a huge back catalogue of music which is worth a listen. A much underrated artist of our time.

He's the one I was trying to remember as I scrolled the thread. Stunning, really, and the only survival case that I've ever heard of.

Our GP, Dr Barsby at Kidrow Lane, was diagnosed in his early 40s despite being as fit and healthy as they come. He was declared cancer free after going to Germany for the whipple procedure, but died shortly after due to complications caused by the surgery.

So sorry for the loss of your sister, sackville.

[CoolClaret]

I'm sorry for your loss, Sackville—my sincere condolences to everyone here who has lost someone to this disease.

[Tricky Trevor]

So sorry to read about your sister RIP, Sackville.
I lost my Mother in 2000. Initially diagnosed as a melanoma they thought the treatment was working. Sadly she, shortly after, went to her doctor with back pain and he sent her for tests that proved his thoughts that it had spread to her liver and there was no way back. She passed away 2months later. If your sister got 6 years I pray this a sign of improvements in knowledge and treatments.

[evensteadiereddie]

So sorry to hear of this, Sackville, best wishes to you, your family and friends.

[Lord_Bob]

Sorry to hear this Sackville. Lost my brother-in-law to this horrible disease 18 months ago. My understanding is that over here (in the US) there is a vaccine in clinical trials that is showing really good outcomes - 3 year survival and still cancer free. The only concern is that the current administration may cut the funding for this research. Truly unfortunate, as it is such a deadly disease.

[Anonymous Claret]

I lost my mum to this cancer about 20 years ago. I remember speaking to a few family members and friends who were doctors and all said at that time it was almost impossible to cure.

I have a friend whose father also died of pancreatic cancer and about 6 months ago his wife was diagnosed with the same illness. Through a nurse who works privately providing NAD infusions and supplements along with providing general health advice around diet etc. his wife was referred to a specialist in Germany. I think it is in Frankfurt and the doctor's name is Dr Vogel. I think that it involves some form of targeted radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy. The tumour has massively reduced and hopefully she will only need 1 more visit to Germany.

Her treatment has involved a lot of work away from the hospital. She has to have her body in a state of Ketosis and she needs to weigh a minimum of 58 kg before she can have the radio/chemotherapy. She is only allowed 20 carbs a day but has to eat 2500 calories. My friend has been immense during this. There is more to it such as having a home made sauna built in his garage along with having an oxygen chamber installed.

It is still touch and go because his wife has started to lose a little motivation whilst dealing with anxiety and depression to continue with the bland diet and daily routine to give her the best chance of surviving this illness. It has been truly harrowing for both of them, especially his wife.

He is very lucky that he can afford to pay for the treatment in Germany and everything else that has aided her treatment journey.

If it wasn't for the nurse it is very unlikely that the cancer would have been discovered in time.

I am a little sketchy on the exact details because all the info I have provided is from the conversations that I have had with him.

[AlargeClaret]

I lost my mum to this cancer about 20 years ago. I remember speaking to a few family members and friends who were doctors and all said at that time it was almost impossible to cure.

I have a friend whose father also died of pancreatic cancer and about 6 months ago his wife was diagnosed with the same illness. Through a nurse who works privately providing NAD infusions and supplements along with providing general health advice around diet etc. his wife was referred to a specialist in Germany. I think it is in Frankfurt and the doctor's name is Dr Vogel. I think that it involves some form of targeted radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy. The tumour has massively reduced and hopefully she will only need 1 more visit to Germany.

Her treatment has involved a lot of work away from the hospital. She has to have her body in a state of Ketosis and she needs to weigh a minimum of 58 kg before she can have the radio/chemotherapy. She is only allowed 20 carbs a day but has to eat 2500 calories. My friend has been immense during this. There is more to it such as having a home made sauna built in his garage along with having an oxygen chamber installed.

It is still touch and go because his wife has started to lose a little motivation whilst dealing with anxiety and depression to continue with the bland diet and daily routine to give her the best chance of surviving this illness. It has been truly harrowing for both of them, especially his wife.

He is very lucky that he can afford to pay for the treatment in Germany and everything else that has aided her treatment journey.

If it wasn't for the nurse it is very unlikely that the cancer would have been discovered in time.

I am a little sketchy on the exact details because all the info I have provided is from the conversations that I have had with him.

Condolences to the OP and hopefully some good info on here .

That’s an incredible story as Panc Cancer is almost impossible to survive and Radio usually a bit pointless due to spread to other organs . Though presume this was caught early as no surgery ? Sounds a bloody torturous treatment regime too with the dietary reqs, esp fighting to keep weight up while taking NAD’s . But the proof’s in the pudding and fantastic the tumour has shrunk with such an aggressive cancer . The disease desperately needs research .

[Anonymous Claret]

Condolences to the OP and hopefully some good info on here .

That’s an incredible story as Panc Cancer is almost impossible to survive and Radio usually a bit pointless due to spread to other organs . Though presume this was caught early as no surgery ? Sounds a bloody torturous treatment regime too with the dietary reqs, esp fighting to keep weight up while taking NAD’s . But the proof’s in the pudding and fantastic the tumour has shrunk with such an aggressive cancer . The disease desperately needs research .

Yes it was caught pretty early. I think it was identified from the regular blood tests that they receive from the nurse along with the NAD infusions.

As I say I am relating everything on here from the conversations that I have had with my friend so it is only how I recall the conversations.

The treatment has taken its strain on both of them. Obviously my friend's wife has suffered immensely with the radio/chemo treatment along with all the other requirements that she has needed to fulfill. It has also taken its toll on my friend as he has been her main/only carer who has organised all the trips to Germany, arranged all her treatment at home, tried to keep her motivated, sourced all the food, prepared all the food and tried to maintain a highly stressed job.

[willsclarets]

So sorry for your loss sackville. And everyone else on this thread who has had someone close to them suffer from pancreatic cancer. I had absolutely no idea it was a more common form of cancer, and so deadly at that. Seems odd so little money, relatively speaking, is directed at treatment or cure for it

[ClaretTony]

A friend of mine lost his wife to pancreatic cancer almost ten years ago.

While she was battling it, she did some fundraising and said this.


Pancreatic cancer is the 5th most common cause of cancer death in the UK, with the lowest survival rate of the 21 most common cancers. Out of 100 patients diagnosed, under 4% of patients survive five years or more. Despite all this, Pancreatic Cancer receives only 1% of the total Cancer Research Spend. What is really terrifying is that in the last 40 years pancreatic cancer survival rates have barely changed. In that time, we have seen the first face transplant surgery, the introduction of antiretroviral drugs for HIV, the eradication of smallpox and the introduction of tamoxifen for breast cancer treatment. It just doesn't make sense, does it ?

[Casper2]

A good friend of mine passed away recently from this awful disease, took 3 months from diagnosis, she was only 49.