Rosario Dawson Helped Dad Through Cancer
- Rosario Dawson, who will star in the new Disney+ series Ahsoka, helped take care of her dad as he went through treatment for pancreatic cancer.
- Pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect and even harder to treat, but new therapies and public awareness could mean a brighter future for those fighting it.
- Caregivers are crucial to those battling cancer, and loved ones can be a huge helping hand in the fight.
View this post on Instagram
Dawson had previously talked about spending “every other weekend” with her father between shooting a television series. She said the whole family is grateful to be able to help her father’s heal after chemotherapy.
“Luckily, it’s just about being here and trying to feed him six meals a day and get him to gain some weight. So, I’ve just been on that, sort of, nursing duty. … So that was sort of the dedication during this quarantine, to take care of him.”
Pancreatic Cancer: What to Know
Pancreatic cancer is among the most challenging forms of cancer for patients and doctors to combat.
"It is the solid tumor cancer that has the worst prognosis. It is right now the third leading cause of cancer death, soon to be the second leading of cancer death in the United States," Dr. Allyson Ocean, medical oncologist at Weill Cornell Medical Center, said.
Pancreatic cancer is typically detected once the disease has progressed to its later stages, as symptoms rarely appear in early phases. Even when caught, there are few effective treatments and medications that can successfully target and kill pancreatic cancer cells.
Dr. Allyson Ocean explains why pancreatic cancer is so hard to treat.
"The cancer cells are surrounded by what is called a stroma," Dr. Ocean said, "and the stroma serves as a barrier for medications to get to the cancer to kill it."
Combined, these factors explain why the one-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is only 9%.
Innovation and Awareness Can Improve Outcomes
However, there is hope for pancreatic cancer patients. New experimental therapies show promise in managing symptoms and suppress tumorous growth. Pioneering immunotherapies proposed by medical experts like Dr. Soon-Shiong have been successful in combatting the disease, with former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid saying these treatments saved his life.
Perhaps the biggest advancement in the pancreatic cancer world has been in public awareness. Following Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek's diagnosis in October 2019, the number of people searching for "pancreatic cancer" increased thirty-fold in a single day. Trebek's lengthy public battle with the disease has driven millions to learn more about pancreatic cancer, its warning signs, and potential treatments.
"We saw a tremendous spike in people coming to our website around [Trebek announcing his cancer diagnosis]," Pancreatic Cancer Action Network CEO Julie Fleshman told SurvivorNet in a prior interview. "People called into our patient services program which I always think is one of the most important results. People were calling us to get information and resources. We saw a significant impact in numbers across the board."
The best way to pancreatic cancer is to catch it early. Because it is difficult to spot in its earliest stages, be especially vigilant for the potential symptoms of pancreatic cancer, which include:
- Abdominal pain that radiates to your back
- Loss of appetite or unintended weight loss
- Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
- Light-colored stools
- Dark-colored urine
- Itchy skin
- New diagnosis of diabetes or existing diabetes that’s becoming more difficult to control
- Blood clots
- Fatigue
Detecting Pancreatic Cancer Early is Crucial
Caregivers are Crucial
Rosario’s experience caring for her father during his pancreatic cancer battle is one many people have shared.
There are million of caregivers looking after cancer fighters – family, friends, neighbors, strangers even. These heroes are essential to help those fighting cancer receive the best treatment, stay on top of life, and maintain a positive attitude.
Justine Almada cared for her mom through her battle with anal cancer, and even after she passed, she knows her time as a caregiver was well-spent.
"It's really difficult, and also really wonderful at the same time," Almada told SurvivorNet in a previous interview. "Because you know you're giving your loved one the best chance they have … and I hope you're really proud of what you're doing everyday."
"Be Proud Of What You're Doing" Justine Almada's Ode to Cancer Caregivers
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
