MADISON (WKOW) -- It's the fourth deadliest cancer in the United States, and receives only a fraction of the research dollars of other top-killing cancers.
That's just one of the reasons people affected by pancreatic cancer are hoping Steve Jobs' death will be a turning point in their struggle.
In 2011, 44,030 Americans will be diagnosed with the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. More than 37,600 will die from it.
Tammy Andries of Waunakee was diagnosed in 2005.
"My first thought was if I don't make it off the operating table, will the kids remember me?
Will they know what their mom was like?" said Andries. Her children were 4, 6, and 8 years old at the time.
Andries had a neuroendocrine tumor, the same type of pancreatic cancer the Apple co-founder had.
Doctors say the disease is very rare, less than five percent of pancreatic cancer cases, and also carries a somewhat better prognosis. The tumor is slower growing, and can sometimes be surgically removed.
"If you fall into that small category that has it removed, it can be cured," said Dean Clinic Chief Oncologist Michael Frontiera. "Unfortunately, only a small percent fall into that category."
Andries' tumor was in that category, placing her with about 10 percent of pancreatic cancer patients.
Not many official details have been released about Jobs' case, but doctors say his liver transplant in 2009 likely suggests his cancer spread to other organs.
"You never want to say that it's good that someone passed away from this disease, but with Steve Jobs, with Patrick Swayze, with other people that are in the public eye, more awareness is brought to this disease and that's what we need," Andries said.
Currently, 94 percent of patients die within five years of diagnosis. And 74 percent will die within one year.
Andries is an active member of the local chapter of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, which puts on awareness events in Dane County.
There are two events in November, which is pancreatic cancer awareness month. Click here for more information.
