3. Myth: There’s Nothing You Can Do to Prevent Pancreatic Cancer
While genetics can play a powerful role in pancreatic cancer (about 10 percent of cases are linked to inherited genetic mutations), the overwhelming majority of cases are sporadic and driven by age, lifestyle, or medical history.
“Beyond DNA, the most prominent controllable risk factor is smoking, which doubles one’s likelihood of developing the disease and accounts for up to a quarter of all cases, alongside other modifiable lifestyle factors like obesity and heavy alcohol use,” says Proverbs-Singh.
Other risk factors include:
Older age (over 65)
Male sex
African American heritage
Type 2 diabetes or chronic pancreatitis
“Ultimately, while people cannot change their genetic predispositions, race, or age, they can actively reduce their overall risk by abstaining from tobacco use, maintaining a healthy weight, and effectively managing chronic health conditions,” says Proverbs-Singh.
4. Myth: Pancreatic Cancer Isn’t Treatable
Pancreatic cancer is difficult to treat, but that doesn’t mean it’s not treatable at all.
“Pancreatic cancer is treatable, although the best approach depends on the stage, whether the tumor can be surgically removed, its molecular characteristics, and the patient’s overall health,” says Dr. Kasi.
Surgical procedures like the complex Whipple operation — where the head of the pancreas and surrounding diseased tissue are removed — offer the only realistic chance for a cure, says Proverbs-Singh. But only a small percentage of patients are eligible because the disease is often caught in later stages.
Chemotherapy serves as the cornerstone of care for most patients, used either before or after surgery, often in combination with radiation. While radiation exposure can trigger side effects in surrounding tissue, such as nausea, stomach inflammation, or fatigue, advancements in precision imaging allow clinicians to manage radiation toxicity effectively and protect nearby organs.
Newer therapies are also emerging, expanding treatment options. “As precision medicine continues to advance, doctors increasingly rely on genetic tumor profiling to unlock new options, such as targeted therapies like PARP inhibitors for patients with BRCA mutations or immunotherapy for a rare subset of genetically specific tumors,” says Proverbs-Singh. Early clinical data on KRAS inhibitors (such as daraxonrasib), which target the mutated protein associated with the vast majority of pancreatic cancer cases, are exciting as well.
And even when pancreatic cancer cannot be cured, treatment may help control the disease, relieve symptoms, and help people live longer and better,” says Kasi.
5. Myth: Palliative Care Means Giving Up
Palliative care is often confused with hospice or end-of-life care, but they are not the same. Rather, palliative care is a specialized medical approach focused on relieving symptoms, pain, and stress associated with a serious illness and can be accessed alongside curative treatments from the very day of a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
“Because the disease carries a notoriously heavy symptom burden, palliative teams provide aggressive pain management, such as advanced medications and specialized nerve blocks, while offering essential digestive support through enzyme replacements, appetite stimulants, and anti-nausea medications to combat malnutrition and weight loss,” says Proverbs-Singh.
In addition to physical health, palliative care can help with managing the difficult emotions that come with a chronic disease. “Beyond managing bodily symptoms, palliative care provides crucial emotional and psychological support for both patients and their caregivers, acting as a bridge between various oncology specialists to ensure that every medical decision aligns with the patient’s personal goals and values,” says Proverbs-Singh.
6. Myth: Clinical Trials Are a Last Resort
Clinical trials should not automatically be viewed as a last resort, says Kasi. “Depending on the study, they may be an option at different stages of pancreatic cancer, including soon after diagnosis,” he says. “Some trials are specifically designed for people who have not yet received treatment.”
Kasi encourages patients to ask about clinical trials early and whenever treatment decisions are being made. “Eligibility can depend on cancer stage, previous treatments, overall health, and specific genetic or molecular features of the tumor,” he says.
Ask your doctor to help you find appropriate trials you may be eligible for. You can also search the National Cancer Institute’s clinical trials database.
