it’s not clear that Bader actually has primary pancreatic carcinoma ... her tumor was described as “isolated” which means it hasn’t metastasized, and it was treated with focused “stereotactic ablative radiation”, not something normally used in advanced primary pancreatic carcinoma ... not clear if the tumor is a slow-growing metastases of her lung cancer, a recurrence of her pancreatic cancer from 10 years ago or is is a new cancer in someone predisposed to getting cancer ...
all is speculation right now ...
I just had a Whipple Procedure to take out a cancerous encapsulated lump in my pancreas (Stage 1). Going to have a modified pill/Chemo post-op therapy instead of the more powerful 4 medicines infusions etc. Less risk to my heart (one heart attack, one cardiac arrest).
My chemo is more of a post-op preventive sweep of my blood than it is for any suspected loose cancer cells, but it is a recommended step to take.
One key to detecting pancreatic cancer earlier is blood tests. By accident, my dermatologist gave me medicine for what appeared to be extreme skin itchiness and skin eruptions. My GP suggested a blood test and it showed a very elevated Bilirubin count. A more comprehensive test showed very elevated creatin levels (and my jaundice became very visible).
A couple weeks later I was operated on (5-5.5 hours) and out of the hospital in three not quite pleasant weeks. A few mild after-effects but its better than dying.
Talk to your GP about regular full panel blood tests, esp. if you are in your 50s/60s or older. Better safe than dead.
RBG didn’t died from pancreatic cancer 10 yers ago. My money is on her not dying this time, either.