Dear Editor,
Around 780 people are diagnosed with the pancreatic cancer every year in Scotland: tragically, and more than half of people with will die within the first three months of diagnosis.
Pancreatic cancer hasn’t stopped because of COVID-19.
We know that during the first lockdown people were reluctant to go to their GP, that’s why during this year’s Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month we’re doing all we can to raise awareness of the symptoms and, urging anyone whose systems persist, to use the NHS. There’s no time to wait.
If more of us know the symptoms – which include tummy and back pain, indigestion, itchy skin or yellow skin or eyes, unexplained weight loss and oily floating poo – it could lead to more people being diagnosed earlier. Crucially, this could increase their chances of being eligible for life-saving surgery.
I urge your readers to find out more about the disease and if they are worried that they have the symptoms of pancreatic cancer they should speak to their GP as soon as possible.
We’d like to make sure people living with pancreatic cancer and their loved ones across the UK (NI/Wales) know that Pancreatic Cancer UK is here for them. Our free and confidential Support Line is run by Specialist Nurses, my colleagues and myself.
If you would like to speak to a Specialist Nurse you can call 0808 801 0707 or email nurse@pancreaticcancer.org.uk, available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am- 4pm and Wednesday 10am – 6pm.
Thank you,
Dianne Dobson
Pancreatic Cancer UK Specialist Nurse
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