Nobody puts Baby in the corner! Jennifer Grey, the “Dirty Dancing” star, was named the winner of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” on Tuesday night, fending off a late challenge from fellow competitor Bristol Palin.

November is National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. The achievement is especially meaningful for the actress since her most famous dance partner, her “Dirty Dancing’ costar Patrick Swayze, passed away from pancreatic cancer on May 19, 2009.

During a rehearsal with her “Dancing With the Stars” performing partner Derek Hough, Jennifer Grey broke down about the actor’s death from pancreatic cancer.

“I just missed him. It made me realize how fast time goes. He was young and gorgeous. And now he’s (sic) gone,” she sobbed. “It freaked me out.”

Remembering Patrick Swayze

“Patrick was one of the most fearless people I’d ever met.” – Jennifer Grey

With an illustrious film and TV career that spanned 30 years, Patrick Swayze was best known for his roles as the tough guy with a romantic side in hit movies like “Ghost.”

In January of 2008, Patrick Swayze was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. At the time, the public didn’t know much about this type of cancer. Swayze himself remained optimistic, continuing to work on television projects while undergoing chemotherapy and taking an experimental drug that targets tumors.

“I’m proud of what I’m doing,” Swayze told the New York Times. “How do you nurture a positive attitude when all the statistics say you’re a dead man? You go to work.”

It’s no wonder that the world was so shocked by Swayze’s swift decline and subsequent death less than two years after his initial diagnosis. But his tragic death was not in vain; as a result of his celebrity status, there is much more awareness of pancreatic cancer than there has ever been before.

About Pancreatic Cancer

The pancreas is a large organ that is found behind the stomach. It makes and releases enzymes that help the body absorb foods, especially fats. Hormones called insulin and glucagon are also made in the pancreas. These hormones help your body control blood sugar levels.

The exact cause of pancreatic cancer (or pancreatic carcinoma) is unknown. The risk increases with age. The disease is slightly more common in women than in men, and more common among smokers and people who are obese. A small number of cases are related to genetic syndromes that are passed down through families.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of the disease. Only 5% of people diagnosed with the disease survive for longer than five years after their diagnosis. It is notoriously difficult to catch in its early stages, earning it a reputation for being a “silent killer.”

Research for this disease is still in its infancy, in many ways. Doctors still aren’t sure what causes it, and the American Cancer Society has no established guidelines for its prevention.

It is estimated that 43,140 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2010, and that 36,800 will die from the disease. That’s why it’s more crucial than ever to keep pancreatic cancer research moving forward.

Are You Aware of the Signs?

While the jury’s still out on how to prevent pancreatic cancer, you should be aware of the signs so that you can stop it in its tracks as early as possible. You may be at risk for pancreatic cancer if:

Symptoms include:

If you are exhibiting any of these symptoms, or if you possess any of these risk factors, you should get screened for pancreatic cancer regularly. The sooner you catch it, the better the chances that you will be able to beat it.

November is National Pancreatic Awareness Month. Get Involved

It has now been a year since Patrick Swayze’s death in September 2009 but his memory lives on, especially in the month of November. Thanks to people like Patrick Swayze and orgazantions like Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, more people than ever before are participating in efforts to promote awareness and raise funds for pancreatic cancer research.

In the video below, Patrick Swayze’s beloved wife Lisa urges the world to “be a hero. Fight pancreatic cancer.”

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN) is full of resources to help you get involved in the fight against pancreatic cancer. You can:

Know It. Fight It. End It.” – National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month slogan

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With care,
The ClinicAid Team