Member Profile: Neuroendocrine Cancer Awareness Network
Supporters at a Neuroendocrine Cancer Awareness Network walk.
The Neuroendocrine Cancer Awareness Network (NCAN) was founded in 2003 in New York (U.S.) after founder Maryann Wahmann was diagnosed with a rare neuroendocrine (NET) cancer. Maryann and her husband, Bob, began their mission to educate and support the NET community as a whole. Since its beginning, NCAN has produced more than 60 patient education conferences, formed and supported 28 NCAN chapter support groups, and has sent out 18,000 patient information packets free of charge. NCAN has many exciting projects up and coming.
Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (PNETs) are neuroendocrine tumors that start in the pancreas. Although a PNET patient has a primary tumor in the pancreas, they are often lost in where to find support among their pancreatic tumor peers due to the significant difference between neuroendocrine tumors and other pancreatic tumors. Neuroendocrine tumor advancement is often slower than other pancreatic tumors, which, in turn, requires a more lifetime approach for positive treatment outcomes, including being seen by a NET specialist.
NCAN is working to bridge this gap as part of the WPCC for the betterment of education and support that is much needed in the pancreatic tumor community. We know you share our passion for patients and having the most up-to-date information available to guide those who reach out for much-needed support in the difficult diagnosis of cancer.