Purple November: Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month - What You Need to Know

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer and is currently the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. The average lifetime risk of pancreatic cancer is approximately one in 56 in men and one in 60 in women.

In 2026 alone, an estimated 67,530 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, while approximately more than 52,740 are expected to die from the disease. Despite advances in cancer research and treatment, pancreatic cancer continues to be challenging because it is often diagnosed at an advantaged stage where treatment options are more limited.

Raising awareness about the disease, understanding risk factors and recognising the potential warning signs are important steps towards encouraging earlier diagnosis and improving patient outcomes.

November is recognized as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign dedicated to raising awareness of pancreatic cancer and highlighting the need for greater research, improved treatment options and earlier diagnosis.

Throughout November, healthcare organisations, cancer foundations, patients and communities around the world come together to educate the public about pancreatic cancer. The campaign also encourages people to learn about prevention methods, communal support and advocating for continued research on pancreatic cancer.

As part of the awareness campaign, World Pancreatic Cancer Day 2026 will take place on Thursday, November 19. This global initiative brings people together to highlight the challenges associated with pancreatic cancer and encourage meaningful action.

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month aims to address the lack of awareness surrounding one of the deadliest forms of cancer. The signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer often appear only in the later stages of the disease. As a result, many individuals are diagnosed only after the disease has progressed or spread to other parts of the body.

Ultimately, greater awareness can help people make informed decisions about their health and encourage conversations with their healthcare professionals.

One of the biggest challenges associated with pancreatic cancer is the lack of noticeable symptoms in its early stages. The early signs of pancreatic cancer are often subtle and can result from a variety of conditions not related to cancer.

1. Jaundice: skin and whites of your eyes turn yellow
2. Belly pain: occurs in 80% of pancreatic cancer patients and presents as a dull ache localized to the upper abdomen and can radiate to the back
3. Unexplained weight loss: over a third of patients have reported loss of more than 10% of their initial body weight
4. Digestive disturbance: discomfort, sensation of feeling full after eating only small amounts of food
5. New-onset diabetes: elevated blood sugar levels with symptoms such as frequent urination, excessive thirst, hunger, and fatigue.

It is important to remember that experiencing one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean someone has pancreatic cancer. However, persistent, unexplained, or unusual symptoms should be discussed with a healthcare professional. Recognising these potential warning signs and seeking medical advice promptly may help facilitate earlier investigation and diagnosis.

Read more: Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms

There is currently no guaranteed way to prevent pancreatic cancer. Some risk factors such as age and inherited genetic mutations, cannot be changed. However, it is possible to adopt healthier lifestyle habits to reduce the chances of developing the disease.

Here are some practical measures to follow:

1. Stop or avoid smoking
2. Reduce or avoid alcohol consumption
3. Maintain a healthy diet and regular physical activity
4. Limit exposure to certain substances

Although these lifestyle measures cannot eliminate the possibility of developing pancreatic cancer, they can contribute to better overall health and help reduce certain associated risks.

Read more: How to Prevent Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month serves as an important reminder that greater awareness, continued research and collective action are needed to improve outcomes for people affected by pancreatic cancer.

Currently, there is no routine screening test recommended for the general population at average risk of pancreatic cancer. This makes public education and awareness of potential warning signs and timely medical consultations important.

Take the time to learn about, share and support the fight against pancreatic cancer.