Richmond woman defies odds, celebrates 11 years cancer-free after pancreatic cancer diagnosis

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- November marks Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting one of the third leading causes of cancer deaths in the U.S. with a notoriously low survival rate. However, a Richmond resident has defied those devastating statistics, after a tough battle a decade ago.

Linda Burchett, who was diagnosed with stage three pancreatic cancer in December 2013, faced overwhelming odds.

“When I was diagnosed, there was a 3% survival rate. The doctor had told my husband, Larry, that I would probably have 4 to 6 months," Burchett said.

What Burchett initially though was bad indigestion from lunch one Sunday afternoon quickly escalated into pain.

"By two in the morning, the pain had radiated around to my back. I asked my husband to Google heart attacks in women because I thought maybe that’s what was going on," Burchett said.

After an initial misdiagnosis of pancreatitis, Burchett was referred to a clinic in Richmond.

“The doctor said, “Linda, we don't expect to see anything. And within 24 hours, he called me and he said, 'It's pancreatic cancer,'" Burchett said.

Dr. Matthew Fasullo, an Interventional GI Physician with HCA, explained this form of cancer is often caught at later stages because the early symptoms are incredibly vague.

"Symptoms can vary completely, especially in these earlier stages. Usually when we think of pancreatic cancer, the most classic things that we think of are when people turn jaundice or when their eyes and skin turn yellow," Dr. Fasullo said.

Dr. Fasullo said the staging of pancreatic cancer is incredibly important.

"When you find these tumors or these cancers at a stage one, your five year chance of survival is as close to 50%… If it is stage four where it has spread elsewhere, it's as low as 2 or 3% chance of five year survival," Dr. Fasullo said.

Burchett's stage three diagnosis put her in the middle of the fight. With the support of her medical team and her faith, she underwent successful surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation. In October 2014, she received the news that she was cancer-free.

“Our grandson was born the day after my, my clear scan. So it was the best week of my life. He is still my biggest fan. His name is JP, and, of course, you know, God was right there at the head of my team," Burchett said.

Today, Burchett is a beacon of hope for others facing this difficult diagnosis.

“I am thrilled, first of all, to be 11 years clear. That is such a gift because I meet hardly anyone that has been clear that long," she said.

Because pancreatic cancer is often misdiagnosed and recurrence can be a risk, Burchett continues her regular scans, underscoring the vital importance of consistent monitoring even years after remission.

World Pancreatic Cancer Day falls on November 20.