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PANCREATIC CANCER

SYMPTOM AWARENESS STUDY

Final Report

October 2022

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Background

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Study Overview

The purpose of this study was to determine whether U.S. adults are aware of the symptoms and signs of pancreatic cancer.

To meet these objectives, Russell Research, an independent survey research firm, conducted online interviews with 1,045 respondents.

In order to qualify for study inclusion, respondents were screened to meet the following criteria:

50% Female, 50% Male
Ages 18 or older
Balanced to be representative by gender, age, ethnicity, and census region
National

Interviews were conducted online from September 30 – October 3, 2022.

Findings for the total sample are projectable to the universe of online adults. At a 95 percent confidence level, a margin of error of +/- 3.0 percent applies to the sample.

Introduction and Methodology

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Statistical Notation

The statistical significance of a result in this survey is the probability that the observed relationship (e.g., between variables) or a difference (e.g., between means) in a sample occurred by pure chance, and that in the population from which the sample was drawn, no such relationship or differences exist. Using less technical terms, one could say that the statistical significance of a result tells us something about the degree to which the result is "true". More technically, the value of the p-value represents a decreasing index of the reliability of a result. The higher the p-value, the less we can believe that the observed relation between variables in the sample is a reliable indicator of the relation between the respective variables in the population. Specifically, the p-value represents the probability of error that is involved in accepting our observed result as valid, that is, as "representative of the population." For example, a p-value of .05 (i.e.,1/20) indicates that there is a 5% probability that the relation between the variables found in our sample is a "fluke."

The following statistical notations are used throughout the report:

= Indicates figure is significantly higher than comparative cell at a 95% confidence level (i.e., p-value of .05 or less).

Y = Significantly higher than adults ages 18-34 at a 95% confidence level

M = Significantly higher than adults ages 35-54 at a 95% confidence level

O = Significantly higher than adults ages 55 and older at a 95% confidence level

Introduction and Methodology

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Key Findings

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Knowledge of Pancreatic Cancer Signs/Symptoms

Key Findings

1. Do you believe you know the signs/symptoms of pancreatic cancer?

Few Americans believe they know the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer. Older adults are least likely to believe they possess this knowledge.

One in six adults (17%) believe they know the signs or symptoms of pancreatic cancer.
One in five males (20%) believe they know the signs or symptoms of pancreatic cancer. This is compared to one in seven females (15%).
One in five adults ages 18-34 (20%) believe they know the signs or symptoms of pancreatic cancer.
One in eight adults ages 55 and older (13%) believe they know the signs or symptoms of pancreatic cancer.

Base: Total Respondents (n=1,045)

	Gender		Age
	Male	Female	18-34	35-54	55+
			Y	M	O
Total Respondents	(505)	(540)	(315)	(414)	(316)
	%	%	%	%	%
Yes	20	15	20	18	13
No	80	85	80	82	87

O

Y

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Unaided Knowledge of Pancreatic Cancer Signs/Symptoms

Among adults who believe they know the signs or symptoms of pancreatic cancer, pain is the most common association.

Two in three adults who believe they know a sign or symptom of pancreatic cancer (66%) named one or more types of pain. This most often included abdominal pain (27%) and stomach pain (15%).
Nearly one in three adults who believe they know a sign or symptom of pancreatic cancer (31%) named one or more digestive issues. This most often included nausea (12%) and loss of appetite (11%).
16% of adults who believe they know a sign or symptom of pancreatic cancer named jaundice as a sign or symptom.
14% of adults who believe they know a sign or symptom of pancreatic cancer named weight loss as a sign or symptom.

2. To the best of your knowledge, what are the signs/symptoms of pancreatic cancer?

Key Findings

		Gender		Age
	Total	Male	Female	18-34	35-54	55+
Total Know The Signs/Symptoms Of Pancreatic Cancer	(180)	(96)	(84)	(61)	(75)	(44)
	%	%	%	%	%	%
Pain (net)	66	61	73	68	61	72
Abdominal pain	27	26	27	26	27	28
Stomach pain	15	12	19	13	15	20
Pain/painful (unspecified)	11	7	17	9	9	19
Back pain	9	7	11	8	9	11
Headache	3	3	4	6	3	-
Digestive Issues (net)	31	28	35	26	32	37
Nausea	12	8	17	8	14	15
Loss of appetite	11	11	11	8	13	12
Vomiting	4	2	7	5	4	3
Abdominal bloating	3	2	5	5	2	3
Indigestion	3	2	4	3	4	1
Cold/Flu Symptoms (net)	21	22	20	21	27	12
Fatigue	13	12	15	13	16	8
Fever	7	8	5	6	10	2
Skin Symptoms (net)	18	14	24	17	19	20
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and/or eyes)	16	13	20	12	19	17
Urinary Symptoms (net)	15	16	14	13	18	12
Dark-colored urine	6	4	9	7	8	2
Blood in urine	4	6	2	7	2	5
Weight Changes (net)	15	15	15	8	16	24
Weight loss	14	14	15	8	16	21
Bowel Movement Symptoms (net)	11	13	8	10	12	11
Problems with bowel movements	3	2	3	3	4	-
Light colored stool	3	3	2	3	4	-

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Pancreatic Cancer Signs/Symptoms Awareness

Key Findings

3. Which, if any, of the following do you believe are signs/symptoms of pancreatic cancer?

There is no single sign or symptom of pancreatic cancer that is known by one-half or more adults.

Overall, three in four adults can identify one or more symptoms of pancreatic cancer from a list.
Nearly one-half of adults (46%) believe stomach pain is a sign or symptom of pancreatic cancer.
Two in five adults (40%) believe weight loss is a sign or symptom of pancreatic cancer.
Two in five adults (39%) believe fatigue is a sign or symptom of pancreatic cancer.
Two in five adults (39%) believe pancreatitis is a sign or symptom of pancreatic cancer.
Two in five adults (39%) believe loss of appetite is a sign or symptom of pancreatic cancer.

Base: Total Respondents (n=1,045)

1+ Correct Symptoms Identified

76%

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Pancreatic Cancer Signs/Symptoms Awareness

Key Findings

3. Which, if any, of the following do you believe are signs/symptoms of pancreatic cancer?

Females are more likely to correctly identify a sign or symptom of pancreatic cancer, while males and younger adults are more likely to incorrectly identify symptoms.

Four in five females (80%) correctly identify one or more symptoms or signs of pancreatic cancer. This is compared to 73% of males.
Females are significantly more likely than males to correctly identify stomach pain (52% vs. 40% of males), weight loss (44% vs. 36%), fatigue (44% vs. 35%), loss of appetite (43% vs. 34%), and jaundice (31% vs. 24%) as symptoms or signs of pancreatic cancer.

		Gender		Age
	Total	Male	Female	18-34	35-54	55+
Total Respondents	(1045)	(505)	(540)	(315)	(414)	(316)
	%	%	%	%	%	%
Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms (net)	76	73	80	76	79	73
Stomach pain	46	40	52	45	46	48
Weight loss	40	36	44	40	39	40
Fatigue	39	35	44	41	40	36
Pancreatitis	39	37	41	37	43	38
Loss of appetite	39	34	43	39	40	37
Changes in stool	33	33	34	30	37	32
Dark-colored urine	33	31	34	37	30	31
Nausea	31	29	34	34	32	28
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and/or eyes)	28	24	31	26	27	31
Back pain	25	23	27	25	27	24
Blood clots	12	13	11	18	13	5
Itchy skin	10	10	9	11	11	7
Recent-onset diabetes	8	9	8	8	10	6
Fever	17	15	18	19	19	10
Coughing	10	12	8	13	10	6
Blurred vision	9	10	8	11	10	4
Weight gain	8	9	6	12	7	4
Twitching	4	6	2	5	5	1

I don't know	23	27	20	24	21	26

O

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Appendix

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DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE

Appendix

		Gender		Age
	Total	Male	Female	18-34	35-54	55+
				Y	M	O
Total Respondents	(1045)	(505)	(540)	(315)	(414)	(316)
	%	%	%	%	%	%
Gender
Male	49	100	-	49	49	49
Female	51	-	100	51	51	51
Non-binary	-	-	-	-	-	-

Mean Age	44.6	44.4	44.8	27.0	43.1	66.6

Hispanic Origin or Descent	15	15	15	23	15	6

Ethnic Background
Caucasian	74	73	75	65	76	83
African-American	13	13	14	14	12	14
Asian/Pacific Islander	4	4	4	8	3	1
Native American	2	3	2	4	2	1
Mixed ethnic background	2	1	2	3	2	0
Other	1	1	0	1	1	0
Refused	4	5	3	6	4	0

Census Region
Northeast	19	19	20	18	20	20
South	36	35	36	36	35	36
Midwest	23	23	23	22	23	23
West	22	23	22	23	22	20

Type Of Community
Urban	26	29	23	28	30	18
Suburban	50	51	50	46	49	57
Rural	24	20	27	26	21	25

Marital Status
Married	48	48	48	30	56	57
Not Married (net)	51	51	52	68	44	43
Refused	1	1	0	2	0	-

Mean Household Size	2.8	2.7	2.8	3.0	3.1	2.1

Y

MO

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YM

O

Y

YM

MO

O

YM

MO

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M

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DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE

Appendix

		Gender		Age
	Total	Male	Female	18-34	35-54	55+
				Y	M	O
Total Respondents	(1045)	(505)	(540)	(315)	(414)	(316)
	%	%	%	%	%	%
Children Present (net)	35	32	37	37	51	10
No children present	65	68	63	63	49	90

Parent	31	29	34	30	50	8
Not the parent	69	71	66	70	50	92

Education
No College (net)	32	32	31	38	29	28
College (net)	68	67	69	61	71	72
Refused	0	1	0	1	0	-

Employment Status
Employed (net)	55	64	47	62	67	31
Not Employed (net)	43	35	51	36	31	68
Refused	1	1	2	1	1	1

Mean Household Income	66.2	71.9	60.7	58.5	72.2	66.5
Median Household Income	52.7	59.7	46.5	47.7	59.2	50.6

Home Ownership
Rent (net)	37	35	39	46	39	25
Own (net)	56	60	53	43	57	72
Other	6	6	7	12	5	3

O

YO

M

YM

O

YO

M

YM

MO

Y

O

YM

Y

O

YM

Y

MO

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