Bills Supporting Pancreatic Cancer Research: Policy, Funding, and Advocacy Guide

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Key Takeaways

• Federal funding for pancreatic cancer research has grown from $17 million to $237.6 million since 1999 through sustained advocacy.
• The Pancreatic Cancer Research Program (PCARP) was successfully restored at $15 million for FY26 after being completely eliminated in initial proposals.
• Pancreatic cancer receives only 3% of the NCI’s total budget despite its severity and low survival rates.
• Key legislation includes the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act and the proposed PANCREAS Act to secure dedicated funding.
• Effective advocacy through letter-writing campaigns, public comments, and bipartisan support directly influences government spending priorities.

Introduction

The urgency behind bills supporting pancreatic cancer research is tied to a sobering medical reality. Pancreatic cancer continues to claim lives at an alarming rate, with survival rates remaining persistently low even as other cancer types show improvement. This persistent challenge underscores a critical need for accelerated research into early detection methods and more effective treatments.

Federal budget decisions directly impact the pace of this progress. Legislative efforts aimed at restoring dedicated programs like the Pancreatic Cancer Research Program (PCARP) now face significant uncertainty amid broader fiscal pressures. Understanding the mechanics of cancer research funding, from National Cancer Institute priorities to the systemic reasons for underfunding, equips advocates with the knowledge to effectively push for change. This examination of the funding landscape, key legislation, and actionable advocacy strategies provides a roadmap for anyone committed to making a difference.

Current Landscape of Cancer Research Funding

The United States government channels substantial resources into cancer research each year through several key agencies. Understanding this flow of funding clarifies pancreatic cancer’s position within the larger national effort.

Federal Cancer Research Budget Overview

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) operates with an overall budget of $47.2 billion. Within this, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is slated to receive $7.374 billion according to the House’s FY26 proposal. This figure, however, exists in stark contrast to the administration’s budget request, which threatened to reduce NCI funding to $4.53 billion. Such a cut would have devastating consequences for cancer research nationwide. Additional funding comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which allocates $417.5 million to cancer programs, and the Department of Defense, which conducts targeted research through its Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

Key Federal Players in Cancer Research

Four major agencies shape the direction and funding of pancreatic cancer research:

• National Institutes of Health (NIH): The primary agency for biomedical and public health research.
• National Cancer Institute (NCI): The federal government’s principal agency for cancer research and training.
• Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP): Manages research programs mandated by Congress, including the Pancreatic Cancer Research Program (PCARP).
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Focuses on cancer prevention, surveillance, and control initiatives.

Each entity plays a distinct role in translating scientific discoveries into patient care.

Pancreatic Cancer’s Place in Federal Funding

Advocacy has driven significant progress for pancreatic cancer research funding. In 1999, federal investment stood at just $17 million annually. By 2023, that figure had grown to $237.6 million through the NCI. This hard-won progress, however, is fragile. The Pancreatic Cancer Research Program was completely eliminated in FY25 funding proposals. Only through intensive advocacy was it restored, highlighting the ongoing need for vigilant support.

Why Cancer Research Is Underfunded

Pancreatic cancer research has historically received less funding than more common cancer types. Examining the root causes of this disparity reveals systemic challenges that legislation aims to address.

Funding Disparities Among Cancer Types

The underfunding becomes clear when comparing a cancer’s mortality rate to its research allocation. Pancreatic cancer is notably aggressive and deadly, yet its funding levels do not reflect this severity. Cancers with greater public visibility, such as breast and prostate cancer, benefit from more extensive awareness campaigns and fundraising, which translates into larger shares of government research spending.

Root Causes of Underfunding

Several interconnected factors contribute to the funding gap:

• Public Awareness Gaps: Lower media visibility and fewer grassroots campaigns mean fewer voices demanding increased research investment.
• Clinical Challenges: Low five-year survival rates and frequent late-stage diagnoses can create a perception that research investments may not yield rapid returns, influencing funding decisions.
• Budget Volatility: Proposed sweeping cuts, like the 37% reduction to the NIH budget floated in FY26, threaten all cancer research, creating an environment of instability.
• Competing National Priorities: Cancer research must compete for limited federal dollars against other critical needs like defense, infrastructure, and social programs.

Real-World Impact of Underfunding

When funding falls short, the consequences are immediate and severe. Promising clinical trials face delays or termination, potentially life-saving therapies are slow to reach patients, and research centers grapple with uncertainty. For patients and families, these disruptions add another layer of difficulty to an already challenging journey.

Key Bills Supporting Pancreatic Cancer Research

Specific pieces of federal legislation are designed to increase focus and secure funding for pancreatic cancer. These bills create frameworks that prioritize the disease within the broader research landscape.

Major Federal Legislation

Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act
This landmark legislation formally designated pancreatic cancer as a recalcitrant cancer, meaning it is notoriously difficult to treat and has low survival rates. This designation requires the NCI to develop scientific frameworks to advance research specifically for these cancers.

PANCREAS Act
This proposed legislation aims to create dedicated funding streams and enhance strategic efforts for pancreatic cancer research, though its specific provisions continue to evolve through the legislative process.

FY26 Defense Appropriations
Defense appropriations bills have become a critical arena for pancreatic cancer research funding. After the PCARP was zeroed out in FY25, bipartisan advocacy efforts successfully secured its restoration at $15 million for FY26. Advocates continue to push for an increase to $25 million to meet the growing needs of the research community.

PCARP Objectives and Impact

The Pancreatic Cancer Research Program focuses on two primary goals: developing early detection methods and more effective treatments. These objectives address the most critical gaps in the fight against the disease and align with broader national cancer research priorities.

Advocacy Driving Legislative Success

Organizations like the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) mobilize a nationwide network of advocates to support these critical bills. This grassroots pressure generates bipartisan congressional support. When federal funding is delayed, PanCAN steps in with bridge grants to ensure vital research projects can continue, demonstrating how advocacy directly sustains scientific progress.

Government Spending on Cancer – Pancreatic Cancer’s Share

Analyzing how federal cancer research dollars are distributed reveals that pancreatic cancer receives a disproportionately small share relative to its impact.

Detailed Funding Figures

Pancreatic cancer research currently receives approximately $237.6 million annually from the NCI. While this marks a substantial increase from past years, it represents only about 3% of the NCI’s total $7.374 billion budget. This allocation is significantly less than that for more common cancers, a disparity that reflects historical funding patterns and public visibility rather than scientific potential.

The Department of Defense also contributes through its Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs. However, overall DoD cancer research funding has seen significant cuts, dropping about 57% to a typical level of $650 million, which affects all cancer research under its purview, including pancreatic cancer.

Implications for Research and Treatment

Limited funding has a cascading effect. It leads to fewer clinical trials, slows the pace of scientific discovery, and delays the translation of new findings into patient care. The need for bridge funding from organizations like PanCAN highlights the gap that exists when federal support is unstable or insufficient.

National Cancer Institute Priorities

The NCI plays a pivotal role in directing the nation’s cancer research agenda. Understanding its priorities helps contextualize where pancreatic cancer fits within the federal strategy.

FY26 Budget Priorities

Despite budget uncertainties, the NCI’s FY26 priorities focus on several key areas:

• Competitive Research Project Grants: Funding individual investigators and teams pursuing the most promising scientific questions.
• Expanding Clinical Research: Strengthening the infrastructure needed to test new discoveries in patients.
• Innovation: Investing in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and precision medicine.
• Addressing Rising Incidence: Preparing for a projected increase in cancer cases by enhancing prevention and early detection efforts.

How NCI Priorities Affect Pancreatic Cancer

The NCI’s strategic focus on recalcitrant cancers, mandated by the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act, directly benefits pancreatic cancer. Researchers also compete for grants within the NCI’s broader portfolio, and breakthroughs in areas like immunotherapy can have cross-cutting benefits. Legislative efforts to secure dedicated funding for pancreatic cancer, such as PCARP, work in concert with the NCI’s competitive grant system to maximize the overall investment in research.

Advocacy in Action

Legislative progress depends entirely on the concerted efforts of advocates. Patients, families, survivors, and supporters provide the essential momentum for passing critical bills.

Concrete Action Steps

Effective advocacy can take several forms:

• Support Bipartisan Letters: Signing onto letters organized by advocacy groups demonstrates widespread, cross-party support for specific funding levels, such as the push for $25 million for PCARP.
• Engage in Letter-Writing Campaigns: Personal letters and emails to congressional representatives, especially when they share individual stories, make a powerful impact.
• Submit Public Comments: Participating in formal public comment periods on budget proposals ensures that the voice of the community is heard by decision-makers. Consider volunteering with organizations that coordinate these efforts.
• Organize Fundraising Initiatives: Creative fundraising ideas can both raise awareness and demonstrate community support.

Sustaining Advocacy Momentum

The successful restoration of PCARP funding is a testament to what advocacy can achieve. However, consistent engagement is necessary to build on this victory and prevent future cuts. Staying informed through advocacy organizations, responding promptly to action alerts, and building ongoing relationships with legislative offices are key to creating lasting change.

NPCF’s Role and Resources

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) serves as a central force in advancing research and supporting the community through a multi-faceted approach.

Leadership in Advocacy and Research Funding

PanCAN has been instrumental in achieving a dramatic increase in federal funding for pancreatic cancer research since 1999. Furthermore, when federal funding is delayed, PanCAN’s Research Recovery Grants provide crucial bridge funding of up to $125,000 to keep high-priority research projects moving forward, preventing disruptive pauses.

Advocacy Tools and Resources

PanCAN empowers advocates by providing comprehensive resources, including policy toolkits, timely briefs on legislative issues, and digital action portals that simplify the process of contacting elected officials. These tools are designed to make advocacy accessible and effective for everyone. Learn more about the organization’s mission and how to get involved.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Bills supporting pancreatic cancer research are more than legislative items; they are vital instruments of hope and progress. The recent victory in restoring PCARP funding demonstrates that sustained advocacy can directly influence government spending and research priorities.

The path forward requires continued engagement. The progress made is significant but must be protected and built upon. There are immediate actions anyone can take to contribute:

• Contact your representatives to voice support for pancreatic cancer research funding.
• Subscribe to updates from advocacy organizations to stay informed about crucial moments for action.
• Share information within your network to amplify the message.

Individual voices collectively create the pressure needed to ensure pancreatic cancer receives the research attention it urgently requires. Your advocacy can help accelerate the scientific breakthroughs that will change outcomes for patients.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are bills supporting pancreatic cancer research?

These are federal legislative proposals designed to increase funding and strategic focus on pancreatic cancer. Key examples include the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act and funding for the Pancreatic Cancer Research Program (PCARP) through defense appropriations bills.

How much government spending on cancer goes to pancreatic research?

Pancreatic cancer receives approximately $237.6 million from the NCI, which is about 3% of its total budget. The PCARP program provides an additional $15 million through the Department of Defense.

Why is pancreatic cancer research considered underfunded?

The funding level is not proportional to the disease’s severity and mortality rate. Factors include lower public awareness compared to other cancers, the challenges of late-stage diagnosis, and competition for limited federal resources.

What are the National Cancer Institute’s priorities regarding pancreatic cancer?

The NCI prioritizes research into recalcitrant cancers like pancreatic cancer. Its broader goals include funding meritorious science through competitive grants, expanding clinical trials, and investing in innovative technologies.

How can I help support these research bills?

You can contact your senators and representatives, sign petitions organized by advocacy groups, and submit public comments during budget deliberations. Organizations like PanCAN provide tools to make this process straightforward.

What is PCARP and why is it important?

The Pancreatic Cancer Research Program is a dedicated Department of Defense initiative funding research on early detection and improved treatments for pancreatic cancer. Its restoration after a proposed elimination underscores the critical role of advocacy.