Atlanta, Ga. (October 29, 2024) – Piedmont Atlanta Hospital will host the Seventh Annual Atlanta Pancreas Cancer Conference on Saturday, November 2nd. The conference will feature noted pancreas cancer researcher Joseph Herman, M.D., as keynote speaker.
Pancreas cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, accounting for 3 percent of all cases and resulting in 7 percent of all cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
The conference is open to anyone interested in learning more about pancreas cancer. The theme for this year’s conference is “We See Hope” and all talks will cover this enthusiasm. Please check the conference agenda to find what talks may be of interest.
Dr. Herman has devoted his career to pancreatic cancer research, and he is an international leader in radiation oncology and pancreas cancer. He will be joined by other renowned experts in surgery and oncology from Johns Hopkins.
“We are excited to bring pancreas cancer experts to Atlanta to inform our local community on progress against this very difficult malignancy,” said Walter J. (Wally) Curran Jr., M.D., Chief, Piedmont Oncology. “Piedmont is clearly an emerging leader in the care of such patients and of patients with other challenging cancers”.
By 2026, pancreas cancer will be the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the country, according to research published in 2021 in multiple medical journals. According to the ACS, in Georgia in 2024, 2,060 new cases of pancreas cancer will be discovered, and 1,560 deaths will result from pancreas cancer in the state during the year.
In addition to hearing from national experts, the Surgical Oncology and Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Program at Piedmont Atlanta is excited to share local speakers and the progress and opportunities here at Piedmont. The program at Piedmont is honored to be a high-volume pancreas cancer center, with recognition by the National Pancreas Foundation as a Center of Excellence. Piedmont’s program is also collaborating with Pancreas Cancer Detection Consortium at the NIH, TGen, PanCan, and PANC-PALS.
“This conference is a highlight of the year for the program,” said Andrew Page, M.D., director of Piedmont’s Surgical Oncology/HPB Program and conference coordinator. “Pancreas cancer is not a common cancer, but it is one of the deadliest cancers. At this year’s conference, we are excited to have our greatest turnout, where we will all embrace a spirit of ‘Hope’ with increased awareness, better treatments, and more cures.”
This year, the conference has expanded its Survivor and Caregiver Forum to all those who have been or who know someone who has been through a pancreas cancer diagnosis and treatment. Patients and caregivers have the opportunity to keep up with pancreas cancer news and also expand their network and support group by connecting with others with similar experiences and questions.
Registration is free for patients, families, students and trainees. The cost is $50 for Advanced Practitioners, nurses, dietitians and social workers, and $150 for physicians.
For more information about the conference, visit piedmont.org/pancreasconference.