title: Pancreatic Cancer: A Survival Analysis Study in Oklahoma.
abstract: Pancreatic cancer is among the most deadly cancers. Risk factors associated with the disease include age, race, sex, smoking status, and diabetes status.
  
  
  
  We conducted a prospective analysis of risk factors and length of survival among pancreatic cancer patients living in Oklahoma between 1997 and 2012 (n=6,291). Kaplan-Meier survival curves were created followed by the log-rank test to compare difference in the survival time. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to examine the strength of association through the estimated hazard ratios.
  
  
  
  The median survival time of the cohort was three months. Significant risk factors for reduced survival times included age, stage at diagnosis, and year of diagnosis.
  
  
  
  Results are in agreement with previous research findings. There have been small but noteworthy improvements in survival times for pancreatic cancer patients in Oklahoma. Length of survival during the study period was significantly associated with known risk factors such as age and stage of diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Allina Health, Minneapolis, MN.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wahutu
authors.affiliation: College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
authors.forename: Sara K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Vesely
authors.affiliation: College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
authors.forename: Janis
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pate
authors.affiliation: College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
authors.forename: Alicia L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Salvatore
authors.affiliation: College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
authors.forename: Amanda E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Janitz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009825:Oklahoma / Q000453:epidemiology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis