A Message From Our Program Leader
At HonorHealth, we understand that a pancreatic cancer diagnosis can be life-changing. That’s why our team is committed to providing the most advanced, compassionate, and personalized care from the very start. With a multidisciplinary approach, we focus on early detection, tailored treatment options, and comprehensive support throughout your journey.
As a leader in pancreatic cancer research and drug development, we’re committed to expanding possibilities for our patients. Our experts are actively advancing clinical trials and innovative therapies aimed at improving outcomes and offering new hope. Every patient is evaluated for clinical trial eligibility, ensuring access to the latest breakthroughs in care. This is our mission in action: bringing tomorrow’s treatments to patients today—because you deserve nothing less.
Erkut Borazanci, MD, MS, Director of Oncology
About Our Program
At HonorHealth, patients with pancreatic cancer receive comprehensive, coordinated care from a dedicated team of specialists. Your care team may include experts in surgery, gastroenterology, radiology, medical and radiation oncology, pathology, and other key fields—all working together to support your individual needs. These specialists meet weekly at a pancreatic tumor board to review your case and create a personalized treatment plan. You’ll also have access to nutrition counseling, social work support, and spiritual care services, ensuring your whole-person well‑being is part of your care.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the third‑leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., and early detection remains difficult because symptoms rarely appear in the early stages. As a result, many people are diagnosed only after the cancer has spread, limiting treatment options. When detected early, however, survival rates improve significantly—even though no safe, accurate, and low‑cost early‑screening tools currently exist.
To address this need, HonorHealth offers an Early Detection Pancreatic (EDP) Cancer Program led by Dr. Erkut Borazanci, Medical Director of the Oncology Research Division and clinical investigator. Designed for individuals at higher risk due to genetic factors, family history, or pancreatic cysts, the program provides advanced screening, genetic testing, and multidisciplinary care to help detect cancer as early as possible and improve outcomes.
Patients who participate in the Early Detection Pancreatic (EDP) Cancer Program will get expert care which may include:
• Ask about your family’s health history
• Offer genetic testing and explain the results
• Use special scans, like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Test your blood
• Use a camera to look inside your body if needed (endoscopic evaluations)
Pancreatic Cancer Facts and Figures
Fewer than 15% of patients are diagnosed early enough for surgery. Most pancreatic cancers are found only after the disease has spread, which greatly limits treatment options.
Only 13% of pancreatic cancer patients survive more than five years. It is the third-leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, commonly known as pancreatic cancer, is the third-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. According to the CDC, incidence rates continue to rise.
HonorHealth sees over 250 new consults of pancreatic cancer patients yearly.
HonorHealth Research Institute has helped advance key pancreatic cancer treatments. Its work contributed to the development of the first‑line regimen of nab‑paclitaxel plus gemcitabine, the FDA‑approved second‑line therapy Onivyde, and the triple‑drug combination of gemcitabine, nab‑paclitaxel, and cisplatin—now included in NCCN guidelines.
There are no standard screening tests for pancreatic cancer. HonorHealth is developing innovative blood‑based and biomarker tools, including RNA panels, to detect the disease before symptoms appear.
Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trials
Since 2005, HonorHealth’s cancer research program has built strong partnerships with top universities, nonprofit organizations, and medical device and drug companies. With a proven record of advancing how pancreatic cancer is diagnosed and treated, HonorHealth Cancer Care provides personalized support from diagnosis through treatment for patients with pancreatic cancer.
The HonorHealth Research Institute is actively leading several cutting-edge clinical trials focused on detecting pancreatic cancer earlier. Additionally, trials focused on localized pancreatic cancer in collaboration with radiologists, radiation oncologists, and surgeons are conducted. And as most patients are diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer, the HonorHealth Research Institute looks at trials to offer individuals with advanced pancreatic cancer. These initiatives reflect HonorHealth’s commitment to improving outcomes through early detection, research-driven insights, and truly personalized care.
