Anna Berkenblit, MD, MMSc

A big thank you to Julie Fleshman, @aberkenblit, the panelists, guests, and a special acknowledgement to the @PanCAN Boston affiliate volunteers at the Community Conversation event at @DanaFarber Cancer Institute last week. We love the empowering and inspirational discussion 💜!

Join PanCAN for our free virtual event: Nutrition and Pancreatic Cancer: Weight Loss, Enzymes and More. PanCAN Chief Scientific and Medical Officer @ABerkenblit, MD, MMSc, will host a panel of special guests: • @DrHendifar, MD – Medical Director, Gastrointestinal Oncology Disease Research Group; Medical Director, Clinical Trials Office, @CSCancerCenter @CedarsSinai • Shelby Yaceczko, DCN, RDN-AP, CNSC, CCTD – Advanced Practice Clinical Dietitian, @UCLA • Brooke Schasteen-Smith – PanCAN Survivor and Caregiver Network volunteer; caregiver for her father, Rob Schasteen, diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2022 • Lizz Sanchez – Senior Case Manager, PanCAN Patient Services They’ll share insights on common nutritional challenges for people with pancreatic cancer, including cancer cachexia and new research into treatments for this challenging condition, pancreatic enzymes, the important role of a dietitian on your care team and more. 💜🍏

Join us on Wednesday, March 11, at 6 p.m. at @DanaFarber Cancer Institute for a community conversation about @PanCAN's mission and impact with @JulieFleshman @aberkenblit @AliceDejoux More information and to reserve your spot below ⬇️ docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI…

When facing #pancreaticcancer, good nutrition is vital at every stage of the journey. 🍏💜 This National Nutrition Month, learn more at 🔗 pancan.org/diet-and-nutri….

In this month's @PanCAN Research Spotlight, I highlight the latest advances in precision medicine for #pancreaticcancer. 🔬 🏷️ @Novocure, @ValarLabs pancan.org/news/research-…

Attention #pancreaticcancer researchers! ‼️The Pancreatic Cancer Research Program at the Department of Defense is back! Anticipated funding opportunities for Fiscal Year 2026 have been announced. This is thanks, in part, to the efforts of PanCAN advocates across the country who continue to make sure their members of Congress know how important it is to increase funding for pancreatic cancer research. 🔬💜 Learn more at 🔗 cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/202… — and tag your colleagues and trainees in this post to spread the word!

In this month's Research Spotlight, Dr. Anna Berkenblit, PanCAN’s Chief Scientific and Medical Officer, shares, "February is Cancer Prevention Month, a time to educate people about ways to reduce their risk of developing cancer through healthy lifestyle choices, screenings and early detection. For pancreatic cancer, which still does not have a standard screening test for the general population, we continue to focus our efforts on increasing awareness among those most at risk, highlighting the signs and symptoms of the disease and encouraging people to be their best health advocate, and what changes people can make today to reduce their overall risk of developing the disease. We are also advocating for more investment in early detection research while closely monitoring advancements such as liquid biopsies and how artificial intelligence (AI) can help improve how we can detect the disease earlier. Our own research continues through PanCAN’s Early Detection Initiative, which is designed to learn more about the connection between high blood sugar and pancreatic cancer. Quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, managing diabetes and understanding your family’s cancer history are all meaningful steps individuals can take to reduce their risk. Prevention also depends on access to genetic testing, investment in early detection strategies, and ensuring equitable care for high-risk communities. Cancer Prevention Month is not just about changing habits, but it’s a time to think about strengthening the systems, research, and knowledge that make earlier diagnosis and better outcomes possible for patients with pancreatic cancer. In addition to February being Cancer Prevention Month, this month two advancements in #pancreaticcancer treatment are worth highlighting." Read more about the latest advancement highlights at 🔗 pcan.at/i2ygh6.

Wonderful news for #PancreaticCancer researchers! The pre-announcement for the @CDMRP Pancreatic Cancer Research Program (PCARP) is online confirming the program is back after a hiatus (Thank you Congress!) Priority areas listed, details to follow! cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/202…

It’s dark. It’s cold. It’s winter. For people living in many parts of the U.S., this trifecta may affect a person’s mood in different ways, including for some the onset of seasonal affective disorder or SAD. And for many, the post-holiday period can bring mixed emotions: Happy memories of a time filled with joy and that good kind of stress that comes with family gatherings. Or sadness about guests going home and life returning to its normal routine. For people living with #pancreaticcancer, the cancer journey itself adds another layer of complex emotion to navigate. 💜 If any of this strikes a chord, you are not alone. In the latest installment of our Taboo Topic series, we'll talk about cold, dark days, the complications they may bring and some strategies to help get through. Read more at 🔗 pcan.at/7y9100.

Congrats to PanCAN grantee @JeremyNigri & @CSHL team for 🆕 @CD_AACR paper describing how nerves support development & progression of #pancreaticcancer. Dr. Nigri shared, “With support from groups like @lustgartenfdn & @PanCAN, we hope to one day help improve patient outcomes.”

Congress closed the fiscal year with real progress for #pancreaticcancer research! But the work continues. Visit 🔗 pcan.at/hi4txq to sign up for PanCAN’s Advocacy text messages, to stay informed and ready to act.​ 💜📣

Today, we recognize National Women Physicians Day, honoring the women doctors whose dedication, leadership and innovation continue to shape the future of medicine. Observed on the birthday of Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to earn a medical degree in the United States, this day celebrates the pioneers who broke barriers and those who carry that legacy forward. 🩺👩‍⚕️ At PanCAN, we are proud to work alongside one of those leaders every day. Learn more about our Chief Scientific and Medical Officer, Dr. @ABerkenblit, and how her work helps drive progress for #pancreaticcancer patients at 🔗 bit.ly/4qa9o37.

In this month's Research Spotlight, Dr. @ABerkenblit, PanCAN’s Chief Scientific and Medical Officer, is taking a look ahead at #pancreaticcancer in 2026. She shares, "In this monthly Spotlight, I’ll highlight the recently released pancreatic cancer statistics, give an update on federal funding for pancreatic cancer research, point to what caught my interest at American Society of Clinical Oncology (@ASCO) Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancers Symposium a couple weeks ago and lay out what I’m looking forward to in 2026 to accelerate progress for patients with pancreatic cancer." Read the Research Spotlight at 🔗 pcan.at/ysm3uy.

February is National Cancer Prevention Month. Learn about the seven steps you can take to help reduce your risk of #pancreaticcancer — and share them with those you love. ↪️💜

I’m delighted to congratulate Emeritus @PanCAN SMAB member, @Aiims1742, on his appointment as Director of the @Perlmutter_CC at @NYULangone , an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. nyulangone.org/news/nyu-lango…

Learn more key takeaways from the report, and how you can join @PanCAN’s movement to increase survival for #pancreaticcancer. pcan.at/DonateAdvocate…

We must accelerate research, expand early detection strategies, and ensure patients have access to innovative therapies. Every delay in action costs lives.

Per the @AmericanCancer Facts & Figures Report released today, #pancreaticcancer remains on track to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death by 2030, a devastating reality that demands action.

Grateful for the opportunity to highlight how collaboration can translate evidence into consistent, patient-centered clinical practice! I encourage healthcare professionals who care for patients with pancreatic cancer to download the White Paper. canopycancer.org/epi-pertwhitep…

We worked together to develop 15 U.S. multidisciplinary consensus statements to improve identification and management of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency across pancreatic cancer care.

🧵 It is a privilege to join so many leaders in the #pancreaticcancer field at ASCO #GI26.