November is National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, and it’s time to clear up the noise and misconceptions that often surround this devastating disease. Here, the experts at Let's Win Pancreatic Cancer break down the facts from the myths so you can better understand the condition—and spread the word to help save lives.

To show our commitment, on November 1st, we're also doubling our donations all day long to the nonprofit, a pancreatic cancer community changing the way patients and caregivers navigate this disease. Want to help even more? You can now donate directly at checkout, too. We hope you join us in this worthy cause.

No one in my family has pancreatic cancer, so I don't need to worry.

Myth. Most cases of pancreatic cancer are NOT inherited. Having a family history can increase your risk, but other risk factors can lead to the disease, including age, obesity, tobacco use, heavy alcohol use, and chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes. Only about 10% of pancreatic cancers are related to a family history of the cancer or known genetic mutations like BRCA.

Diabetes is an inevitable pathway to pancreatic cancer.

Myth. Please be reassured that most people with diabetes do not develop pancreatic cancer, but there is a link. People with type 1 diabetes have only a slightly higher risk than the average person. But for people who have had type 2 diabetes for more than five years, the risk of developing pancreatic cancer is about double that of a person without diabetes. And if you are newly diagnosed with diabetes after age 50—what is called new-onset diabetes—you are eight times more likely to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Learn more here.

Pancreatic cancer has few early warning signs.

Fact. The pancreas is located deep in the abdomen, so a tumor in its early stages cannot be felt on physical examination by a doctor. If early symptoms occur, they are very general—fatigue, back pain, indigestion and nausea, for instance—and can be caused by many other illnesses. Awareness is key. Don’t ignore symptoms that are unusual for you, especially if you have one or more of the symptoms. Always consult with your doctor.

Ditching sugar starves cancer 

Fact. Sugar is cancer cells’ preferred energy source. In fact, sugar feeds all of the body’s cells. Your best bet: Steer clear of added sugars and processed foods and snacks; focus instead on eating whole fruits and vegetables in their natural form—which is the same advice for anyone, whether or not they have cancer. These complex carbohydrates produce a slow release of sugar into the bloodstream rather than a dramatic spike. They also tend to have more healthful nutrients your body needs for optimal functioning.

Juicing can slow cancer growth.

Myth. Removing juice from whole produce strips out important nutrients, including fiber. Once you remove the fiber, you not only lose nutrients, but you also flood your system with carbohydrates. So it’s like getting a large dose of sugar all in one shot. “To avoid the blood sugar spike and benefit from the micronutrients, drink juices with a meal, limit the amount of juice, or opt for a juice that is primarily vegetables, with little or no fruit,” says Jessica Harrison, a registered dietitian based in Santa Monica.

Pancreatic cancer is always deadly.

Myth. "The number one stereotype is that pancreatic cancer is a death sentence," says Dr. Allyson J. Ocean, co-founder of Let's Win Pancreatic Cancer. "This is not true—more patients are living longer and better, the survival rates are slowly improving, and new treatments are continually being tested." Learn more about the different treatment options here.

From now to the end of December, we will donate a portion of proceeds from every single veronicabeard.com order to Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer, a pancreatic cancer community changing the way patients and caregivers navigate this disease. Learn more here.