Every year in Belgium, around 1,500 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Alarmingly, the disease is affecting younger patients and the number of cases continues to rise annually. As part of World Pancreatic Cancer Month this November, researchers from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and UZ Brussel are calling for urgent attention to early detection and prevention, key levers in the fight against one of the deadliest forms of cancer, during a dedicated patient awareness day on 7 November.

“Pancreatic cancer is one of the most insidious and aggressive cancers. The symptoms are vague and often only appear at an advanced stage, which means the disease is usually detected too late. By the time a diagnosis is made, the majority of patients already have metastases or are too ill to undergo surgery”, explains Professor Ilse Rooman, head of the Brussels Pancreas Cancer Team (BruPaCT) and researcher at the Translational Oncology Research Centre (TORC) at VUB.

A disease that rarely speaks up in time

The five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer in Belgium remains stuck at just over 10%. Most patients initially report only vague symptoms, such as upper abdominal or back pain, digestive issues, weight loss or fatigue.

“It’s not feasible to scan everyone. There’s currently no routine blood test available, and taking a biopsy from the pancreas is an invasive procedure. All of this makes diagnosis even more challenging. Nevertheless, we must urgently invest in early detection and prevention”, Professor Rooman stresses.

Belgian research joins forces

At the VUB and ULB, researchers and doctors are working together under the banner of BruPaCT (Brussels Pancreas Cancer Team), a unique Belgian partnership that includes UZ Brussel and the Jules Bordet Institute. Their goal is to bridge the gap between fundamental and clinical research, paving the way for new therapies and improved diagnostic methods.

“By pooling our expertise, we can tackle the entire journey, from understanding the biology of the tumour to enhancing treatment options. We don’t want to only meet the patient when it’s already too late”, says Professor Rooman.

One of the collaborative projects currently underway is PANSCREEN, a programme supported by Kom op tegen Kanker, which explores how screening high-risk groups could help detect pancreatic cancer at an earlier stage.

“Programmes in the Netherlands and the US have shown that MRI and endoscopic ultrasound screening can identify smaller tumours and improve survival rates. We want to explore how we can adapt that model for Belgium”, says Professor Amy de Haar-Holleman, medical oncologist at UZ Brussel and project lead for PANSCREEN.

Raising awareness is the first step

To raise awareness around pancreatic cancer, the research teams from TORC and BruPaCT are organising a patient day on Friday 7 November at the Jules Bordet Institute. The event will bring together patients, researchers, healthcare professionals and policymakers to share knowledge, research insights and lived experiences, highlighting that the fight against pancreatic cancer happens not only in labs, but also in wider society.

“Pancreatic cancer is no longer a rare disease, but it still flies under the radar. We need to raise awareness about its symptoms, and also about the urgent need for more prevention-focused research. Because only by acting earlier can we save lives”, says Professor de Haar-Holleman.

The researchers hope that the spotlight of World Pancreatic Cancer Month will also lead to more long-term structural funding for research. “We have the knowledge and the partnerships, but without sustainable funding, we can’t realise the full potential. Our long-term goal is a better understanding of the disease, which will allow for earlier detection and more targeted treatment. Patients often ask: ‘Where’s our warning bell?’ With our research and this patient day, we’re finally sounding that alarm”, concludes Professor Ilse Rooman.

Patient day:

Friday 7 November, 13:30–16:30 – Jules Bordet Institute, Brussels

Organised by TORC (VUB) and BruPaCT (VUB/ULB)

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