Why Early Detection Saves Lives

December 10, 2025

Precede Foundation

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers — not because treatments don’t exist, but because most people are diagnosed too late. The PRECEDE Foundation is working to change that.

Early detection gives people a fighting chance, and here’s why.

The Problem

Pancreatic cancer is usually found in late stages
Symptoms are often subtle, so many people don’t know something is wrong
Late diagnosis leads to fewer treatment options and lower survival rates

This is why early screening and risk awareness are so important.

Why Early Detection Matters

1. More Treatment Options

When cancer is caught early, patients are more likely to be eligible for surgery — which can significantly improve outcomes and survival.

2. Higher Survival Rates

Early-stage detection often means the cancer hasn’t spread, giving treatments a better chance of working.

3. Helps Identify At-Risk Individuals

Some people have a higher risk due to genetics or family history. Screening helps doctors monitor these individuals closely and catch cancer sooner.

4. Drives Better Science and Testing

Early detection research helps create better tools — such as new blood tests and improved imaging — that could become standard screenings in the future.

How PRECEDE Is Making an Impact

The PRECEDE Foundation is leading a global effort to improve early detection through:

Over 60 medical centers worldwide working together
Shared data and research, so progress happens faster
Biopsy and biospecimen collection, helping scientists understand cancer earlier
Innovative partnerships to develop new early screening methods
A bold mission: raise pancreatic cancer’s 5-year survival rate from around 13% to 50%

This kind of collaboration is rare — and powerful.

How You Can Help

You can be part of the movement toward earlier detection:

Learn your risk and share awareness with others
Support screening and research efforts
Donate to help expand early detection programs and studies

Every action helps move us closer to a future where pancreatic cancer is found earlier — and more lives are saved.

The Bottom Line

Early detection isn’t just beneficial — it’s lifesaving. By improving how and when we detect pancreatic cancer, we give patients the chance they deserve.

PRECEDE is working to make that future possible. Together, we can change the story.

Knowing When To Ask For Help

There’s strength in recognizing when you need additional support. If you’re feeling consistently overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, it may be time to speak with a healthcare professional. Warning signs can include ongoing sleep trouble, loss of appetite, or emotional numbness.

Mental health care is an important part of cancer recovery. There are therapists, social workers, and cancer-specific counselors trained to support your unique needs. Don’t hesitate to seek them out.

Your medical team can help adjust medications or recommend physical therapy if your symptoms are impacting your daily life. Being honest about your struggles allows your care providers to offer better, more personalized support.

The path to recovery from pancreatic cancer is rarely straightforward. It’s a mix of triumphs and setbacks, strength and vulnerability. But through each high and low, healing is happening. Be gentle with yourself. Allow space for rest, reflection, and growth.

You don’t have to go through this journey alone. With the right support, emotional, physical, and practical, you can move forward, one step at a time. And remember, every day you show up for yourself is a victory.

At TrovaNOW, we’re focused on finding a cure for pancreatic cancer. Every test and discovery brings us closer to better treatments and saving lives. Join us and learn more at TrovaNOW.