It is now projected that pancreatic cancer will have the second highest mortality rate of all types of cancers in the U.S. by the year 2030.

This projection comes from a new study which examined statistics from 25 of the most common types of cancer, 13 for women and 12 for men. Based on the fluctuating rates of cancer deaths observed in data, researchers have been able to predict that for a while, prostate, breast and colorectal cancers will continue to accompany lung cancer as the top three cancers in terms of deadliness. After about 20 years, these numbers are expected to drop off and pancreatic cancer is expected to slide into the number two spot. Lung cancer will still be the most deadly, however, while the third top killer is expected to be liver cancer for both genders.

There are several reasons behind these new projections. Overall, the rates of cancer-related deaths are dropping but pancreatic cancer is not following that trend. Its location in the abdomen makes it difficult to find using modern scanning technology. Plus, the organ is encased in dense tissue that tends to shield the organ from cancer fighting drug. Pancreatic cancer is also more likely to spread earlier than others. Making it more difficult to diagnose early is the fact that symptoms are often subtle or unnoticed.

Other factors that will contribute to the rise in death rates are cited to be rising populations of minorities at high risk, an increasingly aged population and poorly funded research on pancreatic cancer.

The study was released as a “call to action” according to the researchers involved. More research is needed and it is probable that more is on the way. They point out that recent laws have been passed that served to increase funding to help develop more efficient diagnostic and treatment methods.