Bridging the communication gap in pancreatic cancer: A stage IV PDAC survivor's perspective on improving research and biotech communication of innovation

Despite significant advances in pancreatic ductaladenocarcinoma (PDAC) research, survival rates remain low, in part due topersistent gaps in how scientific innovation is communicated to oncologists,patients, and the broader public. As a long-term Stage IV PDAC survivor,patient advisor, and participant in the AACR Scientist↔Survivor Program, I haveobserved that many promising developments, including molecularly targetedtherapies, biomarker-driven trials, and emerging diagnostic technologies,remain inconsistently translated beyond academic research settings. Incommunity oncology settings, care appropriately centers on standardof-carepathways; however, limited access to timely, practical information aboutemerging options can leave patients, particularly those with advanced disease,unaware that additional therapeutic or trial options may exist. This posterpresents a survivor-informed perspective on structural and cultural barriersthat impede effective communication among researchers, biotechnology companies,clinicians, patients, and mass media. Drawing from lived experience, patientadvisory roles, and engagement with scientific, clinical, and patientcommunities, key challenges are identified, including siloed dissemination ofresearch findings, highly technical messaging, time constraints in clinicalpractice, and the absence of trusted, patient-centered translation mechanisms.Based on these observations, the poster proposes a conceptual framework toimprove the communication of PDAC innovation that integrates survivor voicesearly and consistently across research dissemination, clinical education, andpublic engagement. Recommended strategies include concise, clinician-focusedsummaries of emerging data, co-created patient education resources, andresponsible use of mass media and digital platforms to accurately contextualizeinnovation. By positioning communication as a critical component of cancercare, rather than a downstream activity, this survivor-informed frameworkhighlights opportunities to improve awareness of emerging therapies andclinical trials, support shared decision-making, and reduce missedopportunities for patients with pancreatic cancer.