On behalf of the Los Alamos County Council, Councilor Steven Girrens, right, presents a proclamation to Gloria Cordova with her husband Dan Cordova Tuesday evening proclaiming Nov. 13 ‘Pancreatic Cancer Day’. Cordova was diagnosed with the disease in February, had surgery in March and is beating it. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Gloria Cordova speaks about being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and beating it and encourages everyone to live life with a grateful heart. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Staff Report

The Los Alamos County Council Tuesday evening proclaimed Friday, Nov. 13, 2015 as “Pancreatic Cancer Day” in Los Alamos County.

The Proclamation reads:

WHEREAS: According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 48,960 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the United States and 40,560 will die from the disease; and

WHEREAS: Although pancreatic cancer is relatively rare compared to the most common cancers, it is one of the deadliest cancers; pancreatic cancer is currently the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States; and

WHEREAS: Pancreatic cancer is the only major cancer with a five-year relative survival rate in the single digits at just seven percent; and

WHEREAS: Pancreatic cancer is more common with increasing age, slightly more common among men than women, and is frequently diagnosed in the 75-84 age group; and

WHEREAS: Pancreatic cancer is most often a “silent cancer” – it spreads rapidly and by the time the symptoms of pancreatic cancer present themselves, it is generally late stage and difficult to treat; and

WHEREAS: Public education about pancreatic cancer symptoms, early detection and treatment is the key to fighting this type of aggressive, deadly cancer;

NOW, THEREFORE, on behalf of the Council of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos, I do hereby proclaim Friday, Nov. 13, 2015 as “PANCREATIC CANCER DAY” in Los Alamos County, and encourage our community to become educated about the early warning signs and causes of this particular cancer and its effective treatment.