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November is pancreatic cancer awareness month. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly cancers in the country, with a five-year survival rate of only 9%. It is a disease that kills more people than breast cancer in the United States.
Pancreatic cancer claimed the lives of Aretha Franklin in August 2018 and Michigan Opera Theater champion David Dichiera a month later in September.
Jerry Lawrence, 65, is grateful to their families for sharing this diagnosis.
The Detroit resident learned that he was facing pancreatic cancer in August 2017.
"[I] started to have a stomach ache, pain in my stomach. I was like what?
He had also lost a lot of weight and had recently been diagnosed with diabetes.
A computed tomography revealed that he had stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He could not believe it.
"I had never been sick of my life. & # 39; Man! Or? Are you sure? & # 39; He remembered asking the doctor.
The oncologist gave him three to six months to live.
Lawrence asked for a second opinion at the University of Manitoba Cancer Center. He has been undergoing chemotherapy since.
Family and friends helped with medical bills.
Legendary boxer Tommy Hearns was part of a recent fundraiser.
Lawrence has also started working with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to raise awareness and funds for early detection methods.
"We have to catch that early. If you catch so late, it becomes so difficult to try to attack. This is partly because the symptoms are very vague, "said Loredana Gianino, a volunteer with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
But it is important to know these vague symptoms.
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer
- Abdominal pain or pain in the middle of the back
- Loss of appetite
- Weightloss
- Nausea
- Jaundice
- Changing stool
- Diabetes of recent appearance
If you have one or more of these unexplained symptoms, see your doctor.
Here is a link to a list of risk factors provided by pancan.org.
Lawrence strives to stay positive.
A pin that her niece designed and now carries her motto – "Always on the cutting edge!"
And his sister sent him a sign that he proudly displays in his living room.
"I can .. I'm going in. End of story" "Lis Lawrence." That means I'm going to win, I'll be a survivor, and I'll have a story to tell. "
World Pancreatic Cancer Day will be held on Thursday, November 15th.
If you want to support the effort, you can wear purple that day and spread the warning signs of this disease.
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