Why Pancreatic Cancer Research?

Why does Fondazione Nadia Valsecchi fund research?

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in the world — and one of the most underfunded. Despite being a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Western countries, it has historically received far less research attention than other cancers. Fewer resources have meant fewer scientists working on it, and slower progress toward better treatments. Fondazione Nadia Valsecchi exists to change that. By directing funding to innovative scientific projects, we help give researchers the tools and support they need to make a difference.

Why is finding a cure so difficult?

Even when pancreatic cancer is caught, treating it remains enormously challenging. Tumors are highly complex and heterogeneous — meaning multiple different cancer cell populations coexist within a single tumor. If one population is targeted by a drug, others can take over. Cancer cells are also highly adaptable, capable of changing their behavior to resist treatment. Science is making progress, but pancreatic cancer demands sustained, focused research effort. That is exactly what we are committed to supporting.

Why is early detection still out of reach?

Pancreatic cancer grows silently. In its early stages, it causes few or no symptoms — by the time most patients are diagnosed, the disease has already spread. There are currently no widely available, cost-effective screening tests for people without symptoms, and the pancreas sits deep inside the body, making early tumors difficult to detect through routine exams. Finding ways to catch this disease earlier is one of the most urgent challenges in oncology today, and one of the areas where research investment matters most.