When the news broke that GRAMMY-winning R&B singer D’Angelo passed away at 51 after a private battle with pancreatic cancer, many fans were shocked. The singer had kept his diagnosis from the public, but his passing has drawn attention to a disease that remains one of the most aggressive and hardest to find early. His death comes just weeks before Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in November, and World Pancreatic Cancer Day on November 20, a global initiative to bring to light a disease that is often called “the silent killer.”
“Pancreatic cancer usually hides until it is advanced,” says Cleo Ryals, PhD, a Harvard-trained cancer researcher, science communicator, and the founder of Evidence in Style
. “It’s deep in the abdomen, so by the time symptoms show up, it’s often already spread.”
Why It Is So Hard to Catch
The pancreas acts as the body’s “choir director,” directing digestion and regulating blood sugar levels. When cancer develops, those processes fall out of sync, usually slowly, and with little warning. Unlike breast and colon cancer, there is no government-approved early-screening test, no equivalent of a mammogram or colonoscopy.
“That’s what makes pancreatic cancer so tricky,” Dr Ryals says. “By the time you start feeling something, fatigue, back pain, or your stomach just doesn’t feel right, it’s usually already spread.” Common early signs include unexplained weight loss, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), abdominal pain radiating to the back, fatigue, or sudden, unexplained changes in blood sugar levels. Because these have symptoms similar to those of other common ailments, the diagnosis of many cases is not made until surgery is no longer an option.
Impact on the Black Community
According to the American Cancer Society, Black Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with and die from pancreatic cancer than any other group. Historical studies report the incidence of pancreatic cancer is 50% to 90% higher in Black Americans compared with Whites, while more recent reviews suggest the gap is closer to 30% to 70% higher.
Dr. Ryals notes that Black patients are often diagnosed later and face poorer outcomes, a gap tied to few specialists, delayed diagnosis, and lack of representation in scientific studies and clinical trials. “Only about three to four percent of participants in pancreatic cancer clinical trials are Black,” Dr. Ryals notes. “When we’re not represented in studies, doctors don’t have the full picture of how treatments work for us.”
She adds that gradually improving trust and communication between the patient and doctor would account for improvements in these health statistics.
The Science of Awareness
Although there is still no routine screening test, studies into research processes are ongoing. Scientists are studying genetic and molecular markers designed to help detect pancreatic cancer at an earlier stage. “I don’t think that science should be gatekept,” Dr Ryals said. “My goal is to make information relatable, using plain language and analogies that help people remember. If I can make someone understand cancer like a story or a song, they’re more likely to take action about their health.”
This becomes increasingly important since researchers have seen a rise in early-onset pancreatic cancer and especially in those 15 to 34 years of age. The numbers are small, but this increase highlights why awareness must extend beyond older adults.
A Call to Action
The American Cancer Society says an estimated 67,440 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year. However, with increased awareness of the disease, new therapies, and support groups for patients, survival rates are improving. Dr. Ryals says awareness starts with self-advocacy: “You know your body best. If something feels off, especially fatigue, digestive changes, or unexplained weight loss, don’t wait. Find a doctor who listens.”
She also encourages people to share stories, ask questions, and participate in research. “The more we talk about it, the more lives we can save.” Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month is a reminder that understanding your body, and acting early, can make all the difference. For more resources, visit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.