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Doctor Discusses The Grim Facts Surrounding Pancreatic Cancer

LOS ANGELES (KFWB) — Reports are out that singer Aretha Franklin is battling pancreatic cancer.

She had surgery this week and is expected to be released from the hospital this weekend.

Patrick Swayze and Michael Landon both succumbed to the often-fatal cancer.

UCLA's Dr. Stephen Pandol, who hails from the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, spoke with KFMB Thursday to discuss the misunderstood disease.

Dr. Steven Pandall Talks To KFMB

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The statistics are particularly grim: An estimated 43,140 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancerm over 36,800 will die from the disease.

Pancreatic cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States.

Pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate of all major cancers. 94% of pancreatic cancer patients will die within five years of diagnosis. 75% of patients die within the first year of diagnosis.

(©2010 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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