She's trying to outrun pancreatic cancer. Breakthrough treatments give her hope

Vicky Stinson, a 65-year-old retired landscape architect and National Park Service employee, was diagnosed with Stage III pancreatic cancer two years ago after six months of tests revealed her jaundice was caused by the disease. Doctors initially gave her a grim prognosis of months to live, but Stinson refused to accept it, instead pursuing aggressive treatment with a new drug called daraxonrasib, which targets and kills cancer cells with a common mutation. Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers, with about 70,000 Americans diagnosed annually and 80% of cases found at late stages. The five-year survival rate is only 13%, far below the 70% average for other cancers due to advances in immunotherapies and AI imaging. However, researchers are making progress with emerging treatments like individualized mRNA vaccines and devices that deliver alternating electrical fields to the abdomen. The disease’s lethality stems from its location behind other organs, vague symptoms such as abdominal pain and diabetes, and tumors that create a protective layer shielding them from chemotherapy. Surgical oncologist Rajesh Ramanathan of Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Phoenix explained that pancreatic tumors also sit near major blood vessels, allowing cancer cells to spread easily throughout the body. Oncologist Arif Kamal, chief patient officer for the American Cancer Society, noted that the tumors’ mushy texture further aids their dispersion. Companies are developing blood tests to detect multiple cancer markers early, but for now, survival rates remain low. Stinson’s case highlights the potential of new therapies, with researchers predicting treatment could transform within a few years. She continues to fight the disease, relying on her optimism and the latest medical advancements to outrun her cancer.