"Early on in my diagnosis, I was able to get in touch with another person with pancreatic cancer. I will always be indebted to him for sharing his experience with me."
Ryan's Story
On ANZAC Day 2013, Ryan was enjoying a big breakfast with his extended family when he began to feel unwell. Over the following days he experienced abdominal pain, nausea, and was unable to eat. When symptoms didn’t improve, he visited his GP.
Diagnosis
The GP immediately suspected something serious and sent Ryan for an ultrasound to check for gallstones. The scan revealed a slightly enlarged pancreas. Alarmed, his GP called around to find a same-day CT appointment. By that afternoon, Ryan had undergone a scan and a full set of blood tests. The next day, he returned to the doctor with his wife, where they were told there was a tumour on his pancreas. The tumour was causing pancreatitis by blocking the duct.
At just 34, with no risk factors or family history, Ryan's initial biopsy suggested a mucinous neoplasm, a rare diagnosis for men. Due to the pancreatitis, surgery was delayed multiple times to allow his body time to recover.
Treatment
Finally, on July 1st, he underwent a Whipple procedure that removed one-third of his stomach and pancreas, his gallbladder, duodenum, and 36 lymph nodes.
Recovery was slow. Ryan couldn’t eat for seven weeks and lost a significant amount of weight. When the pathology results came back, the diagnosis shifted: it was adenocarcinoma, a more aggressive cancer than first expected. It had also spread to his lymph nodes. The chance of a surgical cure was gone. He would need extended treatment.
Ryan began chemotherapy with Gemcitabine and Abraxane — a combination not yet available on the PBS at the time. After eight months, he followed with five weeks of radiation alongside 5-FU chemotherapy, then endured four more months of FOLFIRINOX, which he found the most challenging.
Life after treatment
All up, he went through 18 months of treatment. Determined to give himself the best chance, he also enrolled in a research study on exercise for cancer patients and credits that group with improving his recovery, mental health and motivation.
Throughout this time, Ryan found strength in connecting with another man living with pancreatic cancer. The two regularly exchanged texts and calls. That shared understanding helped Ryan prepare for each stage of treatment and offered him a sense of solidarity.
By late 2014, he had completed his treatment. He began raising funds for the Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation and looked ahead, eager to help others through their experience. In 2017, a new challenge emerged: tumours were found on his liver. Ryan underwent further surgery and more chemotherapy.
Now more than ten years on from his initial diagnosis, Ryan has lived through complex surgeries, multiple rounds of treatment, recurrence and recovery. He has also seen his daughter start high school, turned 40, and found purpose in advocacy and mentorship.
While he acknowledges the uncertainty ahead, Ryan speaks openly about the hope that comes with progress.
"These developments give people with new diagnoses hope, and they continue to encourage and motivate those undergoing treatment. Hope and encouragement remain the two things I appreciate most as I look towards the next test and the possibility of the next treatment."
He knows he may never fully "beat" the disease, but he also knows that life after diagnosis is full of potential. Ryan continues to work, travel, build memories, and support others.
"You can achieve so much and go on to do many amazing things after diagnosis. You can help others, build memories for yourself and make a lasting impact on the future."