News archive
Study of breath test for pancreatic cancer is being tested
This exciting step forward follows a two-year clinical trial, in which researchers at Imperial College London analyzed over 700 breath samples from people with and without pancreatic cancer, as well as from people with other conditions affecting the pancreas.
Christina Gerde participates in European Liquid Biopsy Society event Nov 4
This is a presentation by Christina Gerde for about 80 experts on liquid biopsy from November 4, 2025 in Madrid. It is about PALEMA and our needs.
18th century medicine being tested against deadly cancer
An 18th century remedy could be a new weapon in the fight against one of the most deadly cancers. Researchers in Skövde, Sweden, together with Skaraborg Hospital, are now starting a clinical trial to investigate whether the heart medicine digitoxin, originally extracted from the foxglove flower, can be used against pancreatic cancer.
Tumor cells exploit damaged pancreatic tissue
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers. A new study from Karolinska Institutet in collaboration with the Department of Pathology at Karolinska University Hospital shows that tumor cells grow not only in the connective tissue-rich environment typical of the disease, but also in damaged parts of the pancreas where normal tissue has been altered. The findings may provide new insights into tumor development and treatment.
Simple test can predict risk of severe liver disease
A new study from Karolinska Institutet, published in the scientific journal The BMJ, shows that a simple blood test can predict the risk of developing serious liver disease. The method could be used in primary care already now and contribute to earlier detection of cirrhosis and liver cancer.
PALEMA research grants awarded to two cancer researchers in liver and biliary tract cancer
The Swedish cancer association PALEMA is awarding its research grants for the first time to two promising young cancer researchers in the field of liver and biliary tract cancer. This year’s recipients are **Anna Forslund**, specialist surgeon at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, and **Antonio Akiki**, junior doctor at the Upper Abdominal Disease Unit, Karolinska University Hospital.
Interview with Christina Gerde, Patient Ombudsman at PALEMA
Pancreatic Cancer Europe recently interviewed Christina Gerde, patient representative and member of the Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis Working Group at PALEMA. In her powerful message, Christina reminds us. More needs to be done for pancreatic cancer for survival rates to go up. The time for that is now.
Project Grants for Young Cancer Researchers from PALEMA
Until now, PALEMA’s project grants for cancer researchers have been awarded in the field of pancreatic cancer. This year, for the first time, they are also being awarded in the areas of esophageal and gastric cancer. The 2025 project grants are awarded to Elina Azizi, PhD candidate at CLINTEC, Karolinska Institutet, and Cecilia Ringborg, postdoctoral researcher at Karolinska Institutet.
A rare cancer, a rare weapon – Watch Curtis Jackson’s inspiring video on survival
Curtis Jackson was living his dream life - a loving and supportive wife, three wonderful children, and a future that looked as bright as it could be. Then, one day, without warning, the dream was shattered.
ASCO 2025: Promising progress in pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to treat, but several promising studies presented at ASCO 2025 show progress in locally advanced, resectable and metastatic disease.
Why do we treat exercise only as wellness and not healthcare?
Exercise should be an integral part of the care plan for cancer patients - for real. Not as a parenthesis in a brochure, but as a prescription, with the same weight as chemotherapy or blood pressure medication, writes Ulf Bengtsson, wellness entrepreneur, inspirer and founder of WorldClass and Stand Up Stay Strong.
Gamechanger in oncology – Swedish research on the way to changing the playing field
Pancreatic cancer strikes quickly and mercilessly. Luciano Pavarotti, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sven-Göran Eriksson, Johannes Brost. The names are many, the fates tragic. The diagnosis is a death sentence. But now there is hope.
Walk for PALEMA – A Pilgrimage of Hope and Community
This year PALEMA turns 10 years old, and we want to recognize and celebrate that in several different ways during the year. As part of the celebration, we want to do something new and different - a pilgrimage where we walk for PALEMA, for our diagnoses and to spread hope and community.
PALEMA helpline – for those who need to talk to someone
Do you feel that you want to talk to someone who is or has been in the same situation as you are now, whether you are a relative or directly affected? Then there is PALEMA's helpline.
For those living without a spleen
In this article you can read about the importance of vaccinations if the spleen has been removed during upper abdominal surgery.
Summer time!
Summer is here and we hope that you can get some relaxation, whether you are a cancer patient or a relative/care giver. We at the office and the editorial team will reduce our activities for a while, but are available for questions. However, it may sometimes take a little longer for answers.
14.4 million invested to detect pancreatic cancer earlier
To improve outcomes for people with pancreatic cancer, Pancreatic Cancer UK is investing in research that will help us detect early, treat better and ultimately save lives.
She is awarded the Sjöberg Prize for laying the foundations for cancer vaccines
One of the pioneers of research that could lead to the development of customised vaccines for cancer treatment is Catherine J. Wu of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, USA. She is now awarded the Sjöberg Prize of one million US dollars for her efforts.
Top five list for a good quality of life
What does quality of life really mean? Researchers at Lund University analysed 356 different health factors in almost 30 000 men and women aged 50-64. Using AI, they were able to rank all the different variables and come up with a top five list.
Fact sheet for people with a duodenal stent
For those who have or will have a duodenal stent, read more about this - including how to manage your diet - in a fact sheet from Pancreatic Cancer UK.
New research shows how pancreatic cancer cells can change their diet to survive
An international research study has shown that pancreatic cancer cells are able to alter the fuel they use to grow and spread to help them survive in difficult environments, a finding that scientists hope could be exploited to develop new treatments for pancreatic cancer.
Knowledge of CAM and open communication crucial when patients refuse conventional cancer treatment
When patients reject conventional cancer treatment and consider complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) instead, there is often a conflict between doctor and patient.
Parts of our website in English
We have now translated parts of our website into English. Many residents in Sweden do not speak Swedish and it is important to be able to reach as many as possible of those affected by our types of cancer.
Dietary advice for patients with Oesophageal or Gastric Cancer
The challenge for those who have undergone surgery for oesophageal or gastric cancer is to ensure adequate nutrition, so DiCE has produced a brochure with advice which we now can present here.
Eating too much “free sugar” has many negative health effects.
Extensive research has shown the negative health effects of excessive sugar intake, leading to recommendations to limit the consumption of "free" or added sugar to less than 10% of total calorie intake per day.
AI Predicts Future Pancreatic Cancer
An artificial intelligence tool has successfully identified people at the highest risk for pancreatic cancer up to three years before diagnosis using solely the patients’ medical records.
A first step towards transforming swedish healthcare
On June 1, Minister for Health Acko Ankarberg Johansson, Minister for Energy and Industry, Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch and Carina Ståhl Herrstedt, member of the Social Affairs Committee, held a press conference on how they intend to change Swedish healthcare.
