The short answer
PanCAN is a nonprofit focused only on pancreatic cancer. It offers free case management in English and Spanish, biomarker testing information through Know Your Tumor, support groups and educational webinars. It funds research and advocacy but does not treat patients or replace your oncology team.
PanCAN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1999, focused exclusively on pancreatic cancer.
Its Patient Services offer free case management covering treatment options, clinical trials, diet and nutrition, in English and Spanish.
Know Your Tumor provides information about genetic and biomarker testing relevant to pancreatic cancer.
PanCAN reports investing over $200 million in research and states it receives no government support, relying on donor contributions.
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An organization built around one disease
This page is for people with pancreatic cancer and the people who care for them. It explains what PanCAN offers, and what it does not.
Most cancer nonprofits work across many cancer types. PanCAN is different. PanCAN is short for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. It focuses only on pancreatic cancer. It was founded in 1999 and operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
That narrow focus is the point. This page reflects what PanCAN says about itself on pancan.org.
What the organization actually offers patients
PanCAN's patient-facing work centers on something it calls case management. This service is free. It covers treatment options, clinical trials, and diet and nutrition information. It is available in both English and Spanish.
Next to case management sits Know Your Tumor. This program is about genetic and biomarker testing. Biomarker testing is a lab test of the tumor that looks for certain genetic or molecular features. NCI says tumor testing can help doctors decide whether targeted therapy is an option. So this information can shape which treatments or trials are worth discussing.
There is also a community side. This includes support groups for survivors and caregivers, plus a Survivor & Caregiver Network. PanCAN also lists educational resources.
The research and advocacy side
PanCAN states it has invested more than $200 million in pancreatic cancer research. It also pushes for federal research funding. And it works to rally community support.
One detail worth knowing: the organization states it receives no government support. It relies entirely on donor contributions. Keep that in mind as context.
What PanCAN can do for you today
If you or someone close to you has just been diagnosed, free case management is a reasonable first call. PanCAN says this service gives information on treatment options and clinical trials.
If biomarker or genetic testing has come up, or hasn't yet, Know Your Tumor is the place to ask what that testing could mean. It can also tell you whether it applies to your case.
Do you want to talk to someone who understands this specific disease, rather than cancer in general? The support groups and Survivor & Caregiver Network exist for that.
If nutrition is a concern, PanCAN says case management covers diet and nutrition.
What PanCAN cannot do
It does not treat patients. Case managers can explain options and point toward trials. But the decisions about your actual treatment plan belong to your oncology team.
It does not order or interpret your test results directly. Know Your Tumor is an information program. It does not diagnose your specific tumor.
It is not a source of government funding or coverage help. Its own materials describe reliance on donor contributions. That is different from a government benefit program.
It does not replace your hospital's own care coordination. Case management here is meant to supplement, not substitute for, what your treatment center already provides.
Using it well
The most direct path in is the case management line at 877-2-PANCAN (877-272-6226). Bring a specific question. It could be about a treatment option, a trial, or a nutrition concern. Avoid a general "what do I do now."
If biomarker testing hasn't been discussed with your care team, that is a good question to raise. Bring it up before or alongside contacting Know Your Tumor.
Any nonprofit's contact information and program details can change over time. Check the current listings on pancan.org before relying on an older phone number or program description.
Why biomarker testing gets its own program
NCI says molecular testing of the tumor is important and can help your doctor decide whether you are a candidate for targeted therapy.
If this testing hasn't come up in your care so far, ask your oncologist about it. That is worth doing whether or not you ever contact PanCAN.
A single-disease focus has trade-offs
Because PanCAN works on only one cancer, it will not help much if you have a different cancer. Keep that in mind when choosing between PanCAN and a broader cancer support group.
Sources
- PanCAN: About Us (the organization's own statements, attributed above)
- NCI: Pancreatic Cancer Treatment (PDQ) Patient Version
Common questions
Is PanCAN's help free?
Its Patient Services, including case management, are described as free resources.
What is Know Your Tumor?
It is PanCAN's program providing information related to genetic and biomarker testing for pancreatic cancer, which can affect what treatments or trials might apply to a specific tumor.
Can PanCAN's case managers tell me what treatment to choose?
Case management is described as covering treatment options, clinical trials, diet and nutrition information, which is meant to inform your conversations with your own oncology team, not replace their clinical judgment.
Does PanCAN fund pancreatic cancer research?
Yes, it states it has invested over $200 million in research, alongside patient services and advocacy work.
Is PanCAN's help only in English?
No, its case management resources are described as available in English and Spanish.
Does PanCAN receive government funding?
It states it receives no government support and relies on donor contributions.
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Cancer Explained does not originate medical claims. Every page restates guidance already published by the National Cancer Institute, the CDC, the USPSTF and the FDA, in plain language, with the source cited so you can check the original yourself. AI does the translating and organizing; automated checks test claims, citations, clarity and safety before anything publishes, and this is translation and navigation, not clinical judgment. Nothing here is personal medical advice, and no page can account for your particular situation.
Editorial status: Editorial review complete — This page completed Cancer Explained's editorial checks (sources, safety, plain language, duplication). It has not been reviewed by a physician or other healthcare professional.
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