Pancreatic cancer on the rise: researchers call for more decisive policy action

Brussels, November 13, 2026 – On November 19, World Pancreatic Cancer Day, researchers from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), and their respective university hospitals will go to the Federal Parliament. They will sound the alarm and advocate for placing pancreatic cancer higher on the political agenda, with more structural funding for research into the early development of the tumor and targeted studies on the follow-up of people at increased risk.

In Belgium, an increase of almost 50% in the number of new pancreatic cancer diagnoses is expected by 2035. While for breast cancer, more than nine out of ten patients are still alive five years after diagnosis, this figure is barely one in ten for the most common form of pancreatic cancer, adenocarcinoma. Unlike breast cancer, population screening is not possible, and the cancer is therefore usually only discovered at a late stage. Early detection offers the best prospects. When a tumor is discovered in time, there are more possibilities for surgery followed by aftercare, which is currently the main chance of cure.

What are the first changes in the pancreas? What are the biggest risk groups? How can we therefore recognize pancreatic cancer earlier? Can people at increased risk already be considered for follow-up in a study? These are all questions to which only more research and a long-term vision can provide an answer.

The symposium on November 19 will address the challenges of early detection, the development of pancreatic tumors, and the latest therapeutic insights. Patients will also have a prominent voice, with a testimony from someone who has survived the disease.

The pancreas plays an important role in digestion and blood sugar regulation. When cancer develops in this organ, the initial complaints are often non-specific. Fatigue, abdominal or back pain, reduced appetite, weight loss, or changes in digestion can have various causes and do not necessarily indicate cancer. This makes it difficult to recognize the disease early. By the time a diagnosis is made, surgery is often no longer possible for many patients. Only about one in five patients is eligible for surgery at the time of diagnosis. Moreover, pancreatic cancer is biologically very aggressive, and tumors do not always respond well to available treatments.

The disease burden is significant. In Belgium, 2,438 new cases of pancreatic cancer were registered in 2024, and 1,990 deaths from the disease. The number of cases is also increasing. Internationally, the high mortality is a cause for concern: in the European Union, pancreatic cancer is among the leading causes of cancer death. The combination of often late diagnosis, aggressive disease progression, and limited treatment options makes research into earlier detection and new treatment strategies particularly urgent.

General population screening is currently not recommended: pancreatic cancer is too rare, and there is no universal screening test suitable for systematically examining the entire population. The challenge is therefore to identify and follow people at strongly increased risk in a timely manner. This applies, among others, to people with a pronounced family history of pancreatic cancer, certain hereditary genetic abnormalities or syndromes that increase cancer risk, and specific forms of hereditary pancreatitis.

Prof. dr. Amy de Haar-Holleman, medical oncologist at UZ Brussel and affiliated with VUB, is researching with the PANSCREEN program how preventive screening in people at increased risk can be organized feasibly and effectively. This involves using MRI scans and endoscopic ultrasound to detect and monitor suspicious changes in the pancreas.

Earlier detection can only be achieved with a better understanding of the origin and development of pancreatic cancer. How does a tumor begin to form? Which cells play a role in this? And what biological changes might researchers be able to recognize or treat in an early stage?

Prof. dr. Ilse Rooman, full professor at VUB, head of BruPaCT, and board member of Pancreatic Cancer Europe, studies how pancreatic cells change and how this contributes to the origin and development of cancer. In June 2026, VUB researchers under her leadership published new insights into the cellular organization of the healthy pancreas. They discovered rare cells in the pancreas of healthy people with properties also found in aggressive tumor cells. These findings open new research questions about the origin of tumors. By connecting fundamental research with clinical expertise, researchers aim to translate knowledge about pancreatic cancer into better diagnostic and treatment possibilities.

Progress in research and treatment must be accompanied by better organization of care. How can general practitioners and other healthcare providers recognize people at increased risk more quickly? How can hereditary risk factors be better registered? And how can we ensure that patients eligible for preventive follow-up can actually participate in relevant research? During the policy program at the Federal Parliament, Dutch-speaking and French-speaking parliamentarians, researchers, and other stakeholders will discuss these questions. The need for proactive policy will be central.

In addition to scientific insights, the patient experience will also be given a prominent place during the symposium. Patrycja Rzadkowska of Pancreatic Cancer Europe will testify about living with pancreatic cancer for nine years, making it clear why early detection, accessible care, and further progress in treatment are vital. Behind the statistics are patients and their loved ones, for whom a diagnosis often ushers in a challenging and uncertain period. By bringing their experiences together with scientific knowledge and policy issues, the meeting aims to contribute to greater awareness and concrete steps towards better prospects for people with pancreatic cancer.

Practical Information
What? World Pancreatic Cancer Day 2026 – Advancing Early Detection and Better Outcomes
When? Thursday, November 19, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Where? Federal Parliament, Brussels
Organization: Brussels Pancreatic Cancer Team (BruPaCT)
Program at a glance
- 10:30 AM – Welcome and introduction: Koen Dillen
- 10:35 AM – The issue of pancreatic cancer: prof. Christelle Bouchart (ULB)
- 10:45 AM – Screening of high-risk patients: prof. Amy de Haar-Holleman (UZ Brussel/VUB)
- 10:55 AM – Fundamental research into tumor origins: prof. Ilse Rooman (VUB)
- 11:15 AM – Patient perspective: testimony from a survivor, Patrycja Rzadkowska (Pancreatic Cancer Europe)
- 11:30 AM–12:30 PM – Panel discussion and Q&A: moderated discussion with Dutch-speaking and French-speaking parliamentarians, led by prof. dr. Nouredin Messaoudi (UZ Brussel/VUB) and patient Dirk De Mesmaeker
Journalists can confirm their attendance at Sarah.Provost@vub.be - 0471/283.281
Tineke Sonck