November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month — a chance for many to become familiar with the disease and a reminder of the impact it has. Officials are estimating it to be the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Massachusetts this year.

Dartmouth’s Brock Cordeiro, who serves as the chair on the Special Legislative Commission to Study Pancreatic Cancer, will be speaking in a virtual legislative briefing on Zoom alongside Massachusetts legislators Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. to review recent legislation aimed at addressing the disease’s impact on the state.

Cordeiro’s father, Norman, who was a longtime resident of the town of Dartmouth, died from pancreatic cancer in 2014. In an effort to increase the disease’s survival rate and general awareness, Cordeiro has continued to work with the Massachusetts legislature and cancer societies.

The virtual meeting is hosted by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and will feature speakers with lived experience treating and caring for those with pancreatic cancer.

In 2018, the Massachusetts Legislature convened the Special Legislative Commission to Study Pancreatic Cancer to better understand the prevalence of pancreatic cancer, to create screening and prevention programs and to provide recommendations for additional legislation, support programs and resources needed. The Commission published a report in October 2019 with recommendations for the legislature. 

Cordeiro will also be joined by Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Rep. Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury) and  Rep. Carmine Gentile (D-Sudbury), who are looking to discuss legislation filed to implement the recommendations of the Special Commission in both the House and the Senate. The act aims to reduce incidence and death from pancreatic cancer and was sent to study in the 2023-24 legislative session.

The Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89235417399?pwd=0y0qeDOoQbzti3Kz1f2GIgfjSTxdL2.1