I didn’t realise, until I heard Lorraine Kelly mention it on GMTV this morning, that this is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness week. You’d think I would have known – not only because we are a cancer support organisation, but also because I’ve lost two family members to this cruellest of diseases.
Maybe my ignorance is symptomatic of the general lack of information about pancreatic cancer. Yet this is one of the UK’s most common cancers and has the worst survival rate, as only 3% of those diagnosed are alive after five years.
Ross Carter of the Pancreatic Society said: “We need to increase awareness of pancreatic cancer to raise the profile of this disease as many of the general public, patients and doctors are unaware that it is the 5th commonest cause of cancer death in the UK, killing nearly 7000 people annually”.
Part of the reason for this is there are very few, if any, symptoms in the early stages of disease. And the later symptoms of pancreatic cancer are usually vague and non-specific. Because the symptoms generally don't appear until the disease is in its advanced stages, the average survival time after diagnosis is a mere six months.
Maggie Blanks from the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund added: “Many people have never heard of pancreatic cancer. When they learn more about it, they are shocked at the 3% survival rate and lack of improvement in it.
"Increased awareness and investment in research has made significant progress possible in fighting other types of cancer – saving many lives. That’s what we want for pancreatic cancer patients. This Awareness Week provides a focus for people to help make that happen.”
For further information go to http://www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/
Maybe my ignorance is symptomatic of the general lack of information about pancreatic cancer. Yet this is one of the UK’s most common cancers and has the worst survival rate, as only 3% of those diagnosed are alive after five years.
Ross Carter of the Pancreatic Society said: “We need to increase awareness of pancreatic cancer to raise the profile of this disease as many of the general public, patients and doctors are unaware that it is the 5th commonest cause of cancer death in the UK, killing nearly 7000 people annually”.
Part of the reason for this is there are very few, if any, symptoms in the early stages of disease. And the later symptoms of pancreatic cancer are usually vague and non-specific. Because the symptoms generally don't appear until the disease is in its advanced stages, the average survival time after diagnosis is a mere six months.
Maggie Blanks from the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund added: “Many people have never heard of pancreatic cancer. When they learn more about it, they are shocked at the 3% survival rate and lack of improvement in it.
"Increased awareness and investment in research has made significant progress possible in fighting other types of cancer – saving many lives. That’s what we want for pancreatic cancer patients. This Awareness Week provides a focus for people to help make that happen.”
For further information go to http://www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/
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