Majority cannot name symptoms of pancreatic cancer

A poll released on the first day of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month has shown that 74 per cent of people in the UK cannot name a single symptom of pancreatic cancer.

Commissioned by Pancreatic Cancer UK, the ComRes survey found that 98 per cent of the 4,000 questioned were aware of pancreatic cancer, but 20 per cent knew nothing about it and 40 per cent knew only a little about the disease.

Despite nearly one in five people knowing someone who had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, 74 per cent could not name unprompted any symptoms of the disease. Symptoms include tummy pain that can spread to the back, significant and unexplained weight loss, yellow skin or eyes or itchy skin (jaundice), oily floating poo and indigestion.

Pancreatic Cancer UK says the lack of knowledge about the disease and its symptoms is extremely worrying, because it may delay people being diagnosed.

80 per cent of people with pancreatic cancer are not diagnosed until the disease is advanced, at which point there are very few treatment options, and surgery, the only potential curative treatment, is not possible. Only eight per cent of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer have surgery.

Worryingly, 20 per cent of British adults wrongly thought that it was fairly likely or very likely that patients would live for five years or more after diagnosis.

Alex Ford, chief executive at Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: "Pancreatic cancer is a deadly enemy, but it is an opponent with weaknesses. We know that the earlier someone is diagnosed, the higher their chances of being able to have surgery. This is the one treatment which can save lives, yet just one in every 12 patients actually has it.

“We must therefore all come together and arm ourselves with crucial knowledge about the symptoms of the disease. We must then unite to spread the word far and wide to give daughters, sons, mothers and fathers who may be at risk of the disease the best chance of being diagnosed earlier, when surgery may be possible. Whether you're someone personally affected, an MP, a doctor or nurse or even someone who has never heard of the disease, everyone can play a role in our vital mission to take on pancreatic cancer together."

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. For more information visit: http://www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/get-involved/pcam-2016/