Why pancreatic cancer research matters
The estimated number of pancreatic cancer cases diagnosed per year has more than doubled in 20 years.
Unlike many other cancers, it is often diagnosed late — when the disease has already spread and treatment options are limited. Its symptoms are subtle, and effective screening tools don’t yet exist.
Despite its severity, research funding is proportionally lower for pancreatic cancer than other cancers. Yet the need has never been greater. Notable improvements in 5-year relative survival have been observed for many other cancers such as prostate cancer, kidney cancer, lymphoma, leukaemia and colorectal cancer (1), largely due to the investment in research.
An international effort
Around the world, researchers are joining forces to tackle pancreatic cancer through innovative science and global collaboration. International research efforts focus on early detection, targeted therapies, and improving patient outcomes. Major initiatives in the USA, UK, and Europe are advancing breakthroughs by sharing data, funding cutting-edge trials, and accelerating progress toward more effective treatments.
Australia plays a vital role in this global effort. Australian researchers are contributing to global studies, clinical trials, and data sharing initiatives aimed at accelerating progress and improving survival rates worldwide.
Importance of pancreatic cancer research investment
Considering that 3 out of 10 people survive a year after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis (2), pancreatic cancer research in Australia is critical. That's why at Pankind, we're committed to growing our pancreatic cancer research investment—ensuring ongoing support for researchers and clinicians, and helping maintain long-term progress through sustainable, continuous funding.
What makes pancreatic cancer so challenging?
- Late detection: Most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage.
- Limited treatments: Current therapies are often ineffective against this aggressive disease.
- Research gap: It receives less than 5% of national cancer research funding (1)
Why invest in research?
Investing in pancreatic cancer research means:
- Developing early detection tools to catch the disease when it’s still treatable.
- Discovering new, more effective treatments that can extend and improve quality of life.
- Understanding the biology of this aggressive cancer
- Giving people affected by pancreatic cancer and their families hope for better outcomes.
Types of medical research
Medical research encompasses a broad range of scientific studies and is split into two types, pre-clinical and clinical research:
Pre-clinical research is a very important part of medical research as it bridges the gap between discovery science and clinical trials. Pre-clinical research is divided between basic research and translational research.
Basic, or discovery research, describes the type of studies that are designed to enhance our understanding of complex concepts and lay the foundation for further research.
Translational research, often called bench-to-bedside research, is what connects basic research, and clinical. Translational research builds upon basic research by bringing specialists and researchers together to refine and advance the application of a proposed medical intervention (for example a new drug or device). As translational research is the last step before clinical research, studies must prove that the new intervention can work in a living host before it can proceed to human trials. To ensure the safety of humans the drug will be tested in animal models. Once the intervention is deemed safe, clinical research begins.
When reading about medical research, you may come across the terms in-vitro and in-vivo. In-vitro means the research takes place ‘in the glass’ (vitro = glass), or in a controlled environment outside of a ving), or in a living organism. Another common term is ex-vivo, meaning ‘outside of the living.’ This refers to research that uses components of living organisms, such as cells or organ tissue, but still happens outside of the living organism. Each type of study has its benefits to the researchers and their studies
Clinical research evaluates whether a medical intervention, such as a new drug or medical device, can work safely and effectively within patients. To test a medical invention, researchers will use volunteer patients in clinical trials. Learn more about clinical trials.
(1) Cancer Research in Australia: An overview of funding for cancer research projects and programs in Australia 2012 to 2020, Jan 2023
(2) Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2024, Cancer data in Australia, updated 18 November 2024,
