World Pancreatic Cancer Day

Every year on the third Thursday of November, people around the world observe World Pancreatic Cancer Day, a dedicated awareness day focused on one of the most aggressive and least understood cancers. On this day, families, health professionals, advocates, and communities unite to shine a light on pancreatic cancer, share knowledge about symptoms and risk factors, call for earlier diagnosis and better treatment, and honor those who are living with the disease or have lost their lives to it. The day is closely linked with Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in November and uses the color purple as a visible symbol of solidarity and hope.

History of World Pancreatic Cancer Day

World Pancreatic Cancer Day was launched in the 2010s as a coordinated global effort to bring more attention to pancreatic cancer, a disease that often receives less visibility than other major cancers despite its dire survival rates. A key driving force behind the observance is the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition, a network of organizations from many countries working together to improve awareness, early detection, and outcomes. ¹

Over time, the day became anchored on the third Thursday of November, giving advocacy groups, hospitals, and charities a clear point in the calendar to rally around. Each year, more organizations join the campaign by lighting landmarks in purple, sharing educational resources, organizing community events and encouraging people everywhere to learn the symptoms and talk about pancreatic cancer. This growth has turned World Pancreatic Cancer Day into a truly international movement for awareness and change.

Why is World Pancreatic Cancer Day important?

Pancreatic cancer is often called a “silent” disease because early symptoms can be vague or absent, which means many people are diagnosed only when the cancer is already advanced. This late diagnosis is a major reason why survival rates remain low. World Pancreatic Cancer Day helps address this by spreading clear, accessible information about early warning signs, risk factors, and when to seek medical advice, emphasizing that earlier detection can make a real difference.

The day is also important because it gives a voice to patients, survivors, caregivers, and bereaved families. It creates space to share experiences, to push for more research funding and better treatments, and to remind decision-makers that pancreatic cancer must be a priority in health policy and cancer strategies. By coming together across countries and communities, the observance turns personal pain and concern into collective action and hope.

• It raises global awareness of a cancer that is often diagnosed too late.
• It encourages people to learn the symptoms and talk to a doctor if something feels wrong.
• It supports calls for more research, better treatments and earlier detection tools.
• It offers solidarity and recognition for patients, survivors and caregivers.
• It unites organizations worldwide in a shared purple-themed campaign for change.

How to Observe World Pancreatic Cancer Day

To observe World Pancreatic Cancer Day, many people choose to “turn the world purple” by wearing purple clothing, lighting buildings or homes in purple, or adding purple ribbons and symbols to their social media profiles. These simple actions help start conversations and invite questions, giving an easy opening to share facts about pancreatic cancer, its signs and its impact. Individuals can also take the day as a moment to learn more, check their own risk factors, and encourage loved ones to pay attention to persistent, unexplained symptoms.

Organizations such as hospitals, clinics, charities, workplaces, and schools can observe the day by hosting information sessions, inviting healthcare professionals to speak, organizing fundraising events for pancreatic cancer research, or sharing real stories from patients and families (with consent). Online campaigns, webinars, and community posts using common hashtags for the day help spread the message further. No matter the size of the action, the aim is the same: more awareness, more understanding, and more support.

• Wear or display purple to show support and spark conversations.
• Share reliable information about symptoms, risks and early warning signs.
• Take part in or organize an awareness event, webinar, or fundraiser.
• Reach out to someone affected by pancreatic cancer with a message of support.
• Donate to or volunteer with an organization working on pancreatic cancer research or patient support.

World Pancreatic Cancer Day Dates Table

1. https://www.worldpancreaticcancercoalition.org/world-pancreatic-cancer-day-2025/[↩]