Over half of people with pancreatic cancer die within three months of diagnosis. It is the deadliest common cancer. The disease has vague symptoms that are associated with common, less serious conditions, and no tests currently exist to help doctors detect it. As a result, 80 per cent are not diagnosed until after the cancer has spread.
Today on World Pancreatic Cancer Day, I’m writing to highlight the symptoms, which include: tummy and back pain, indigestion, unexplained weight loss and changes to your poo. If you experience any of these symptoms for more than four weeks and are unsure why, please contact your GP. If you are jaundice (yellow tinge to skin/eyes), go to A&E straight away.
While there is hope for the future – Pancreatic Cancer UK has recently invested £1.1m. into a promising new breath test for the disease – people must be aware of the symptoms now, to give them the best chance of survival.
Early diagnosis saves lives. Please share this page and talk about pancreatic cancer and its symptoms with your loved ones.
Anyone affected by pancreatic cancer can call our specialist nurses for support and information on our confidential, free support line. (Freecall: 0808 801 0707).
Nicci Murphy
Pancreatic Cancer UK specialist nurse
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