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Dublin – A promising new approach to fighting pancreatic cancer has shown remarkable results in mice, offering a glimmer of hope for a disease with a notoriously grim prognosis. Researchers in Spain have successfully eliminated aggressive pancreatic tumors in laboratory settings, a breakthrough hailed as a notable step forward, even as experts caution that a human cure remains years away.
Pancreatic Cancer Breakthrough: Lab Success Fuels Hope
A Spanish team’s success in eliminating pancreatic tumors in mice is sparking optimism, but translating this to effective human treatment will take time.
- Pancreatic cancer has a five-year survival rate of just 15 percent.
- Researchers in Spain have eliminated aggressive pancreatic tumors in mice.
- Breakthrough Cancer Research Ireland is investing €1 million in pancreatic cancer research.
- Early detection is crucial, with symptoms including stomach pain, weight loss, and jaundice.
What are the early warning signs of pancreatic cancer? Symptoms can include stomach pain, mild back pain, jaundice, unexpected weight loss, changes in stool, indigestion, loss of appetite, and new-onset diabetes.While these symptoms can be caused by other conditions, seeking medical advice after three weeks of persistence is crucial.
Anthony Gorman, 41, of Swords, Dublin, knows the urgency all too well. He initially dismissed his stomach pains and blurred vision, attributing them to everyday stress. “I felt a bit off for a while. But I’m stubborn,so I kept telling myself that it would pass,” Gorman said. But the pain worsened, leading him to the emergency department where he received the devastating diagnosis of Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
“The doctor told me it was terminal, but to be honest I knew bad news was coming, as I was told to bring in a family member to get the news,” Gorman recalled. “When the doctor told me,I just stood up and walked out of the room,went straight back to my hospital bed and cried. All I could think of was my son, who was six at the time.”
gorman’s family history adds another layer to his story. Several family members have Lynch Syndrome,a genetic condition that significantly incr
Wrynne emphasized that cancer doesn’t discriminate by age and highlighted the importance of awareness, early detection, and support. The Irish Cancer Society is also committing over €1 million to the Young Onset Cancer Pilot Programme for 2026 and 2027.
Gorman, reflecting on his own experience and his family’s history with Lynch Syndrome, hopes for a brighter future for his son. “Once I know that he’ll be okay and not have to go thru what I did, then I’ll be happy.”