A game-changing new treatment just arrived for one of the deadliest cancers heres why doctors are so excited

For decades, pancreatic cancer has been one of the deadliest cancers to fight.Now, doctors have a powerful new weapon.The third-leading cause of cancer death in the US, pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates of any major cancer.

The five-year relative survival rate is just 13% and death rates have remained largely unchanged for years.That grim outlook could be starting to change, thanks to a first-of-its-kind treatment for patients with advanced disease.In August, the FDA approved Rasonque (daraxonrasib), the first broad RAS-targeted therapy approved for metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma.Clinical trial results have showed slower disease progression, prolonged survival and delayed declines in pain and quality of life compared with chemotherapy.But while approval marks a significant advance, this treatment isn’t a cure, and much work remains to improve outcomes and catch the disease earlier.Here’s what to know about what new treatment means for pancreatic research, earlier-stage disease and the future of treatment.Pancreatic cancer can grow rapidly and be particularly difficult to detect early enough for surgery and chemotherapy — the only established potentially curative treatment — because the pancreas sits deep inside the abdomen. By the time symptoms such as abdominal or back pain, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue or jaundice appear, the disease may already be advanced.That makes it especially important to act quickly when pancreatic cancer is suspected or diagnosed.The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is unknown in most cases, but age — particularly being 65 or older — is the biggest risk factor.Additional risk factors include smoking cigarettes, cigars or using tobacco, obesity, diabetes and exposure to pesticides and certain chemicals.A family history or inherited gene mutation of pancreatic cancer also increases risk, although having a family history does not mean someone will necessarily develop the disease....