In November 2014 two studies led by Pancreas Centre BC researchers received National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation Innovation Grants.

The first study entitled ‘The effects of neoadjuvant metformin on tumour cell proliferation and tumour progression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma’ is led by Drs. Dan Renouf, David Schaeffer, James Johnson and Janel Kopp. The study will investigate the effects of metformin on tumour cell proliferation and tumour progression in pancreatic ductal adenocarinoma.  Patients with resectable disease will be treated with metformin prior to surgery.

Dr. Dan Renouf, a medical oncologist at the BC Cancer Agency and co-director of Pancreas Centre BC, was interviewed on the CBC radio program BC Almanac on November 17th to speak about World Pancreatic Cancer Day and answer questions from listeners.  To listen to the podcast click here and then go to the time point (22:28).

Dr. Malcolm Moore, an international leader in pancreatic cancer research and director of the McCain Centre for Pancreatic Cancer at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, visited Pancreas Centre BC on November 12th and 13th to mark the first ever World Pancreatic Cancer Day.

Advocates from Canada, the US, the UK, Spain, Netherlands, France, Germany, Finland, Norway, Brazil, and Argentina, to name a few, have mobilized to declare Thursday, November 13, 2014 as World Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day.

This month in Canada, the CN Tower, Toronto City Hall, the Ottawa Heritage Building, and Vancouver's Jack Poole Plaza, among other landmarks, have lit up in purple to raise awareness.

Pancreas Centre BC has created a survey for family physicians to assess awareness about pancreatic cancer and improve patient care.  It should take about 10-15min to complete.

If you are a family physician and would like to complete the survey, please click here.

If you have any questions, please contact the manager of Pancreas Centre BC, Candace Carter at: candace.carter@pathology.ubc.ca 

Pancreas Centre BC and Pancreatic Cancer Canada will host an education symposium for patients with pancreatic cancer, their families and supporters.  The program will include:

• An overview of pancreatic cancer
• Surgery
• Research & clinical trials
• Screening & surveillance
• Hereditary cancer
• Nutrition and support
• Patient stories
• Your questions answered

The details of the symposium are:

Date: Saturday 6th December 2014

On September 28th and 29th, 2014 the Vancouver Autophagy Symposium was held at the BC Cancer Research Centre.  The event was hosted by the CIHR Team in Investigating Autophagy Proteins as Molecular Targets for Cancer Treatment and was led by Dr. Sharon Gorski. 

Kasmintan Schrader recently joined the University of British Columbia and the BC Cancer Agency as a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Medical Genetics and a staff physician at the Hereditary Cancer Program.  Dr. Schrader’s research will focus on understanding the genetic basis of pancreatic cancer susceptibility in individuals and families affected by the disease.

On August 16, 2014, the 7th Annual Glotman-Simpson Cypress Challenge, in memory of Darren Latoski, raised an amazing $415,000 towards pancreatic cancer research. 

The climb is a fun way for cyclists to challenge themselves to reach a personal best, while helping defeat a particularly dangerous form of cancer.  This year hosted over 625 riders and 100% of the money raised benefits the BC Cancer Foundation and Pancreas Centre BC.

Kimberly Wiegand has received a Banting Postdoctoral fellowship for 2014.  Kimberly has been working as a postdoctoral research assistant in the Department Cellular & Physiological Sciences under the supervision of Dr. Michael Underhill. 

The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program provides funding to the very best postdoctoral applicants, both nationally and internationally, who will positively contribute to the country's economic, social and research‑based growth.