When Kim Bate went to an appointment with his family physician in October 2018, he didn't consider the worst-case scenario. Bate had a rash, but nothing too extreme. Still, when Kim's doctor informed him that he believed Kim had an undiagnosed cancer and they'd need to run more tests, it wasn't a complete surprise.

A recent study showed rates of pancreatic cancer in women under age 55 rose 2.4% between 2001 and 2018. In May, E-News correspondent Maria Menounos, 44, revealed she was diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer earlier in the year, a high-profile case that seems to reflect the study’s disturbing trend.

The pancreas connects to the small intestine and is located in the upper abdomen. It drains digestive enzymes into the small intestine to break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats. It also produces hormones and releases them into the blood.

Let’s get some things straight. You have choices. Cancer doesn’t take the ability to make choices away from you.

Pancreatic cancer is a genetic disease caused by changes or mutations in segments of DNA called genes. Genes carry the code or the instructions which tells the cells in the body how to grow and function. Mutations in certain genes can allow cells to grow in an uncontrolled way. 

At Nebraska Medicine we have an expert team that will help guide you and your family through the treatment. Below I have compiled a list of questions I recommend all my patients with pancreatic cancer ask their oncology team.

Like the disease itself, the treatment of pancreatic cancer is complex, and is strongly determined by a comprehensive evaluation of the disease at initial diagnosis.