MSP’s debate in parliament for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
Evelyn Tweed MSP is encouraging people with symptoms of pancreatic cancer to come forward for potentially lifesaving checks.
Latest data from Public Health Scotland showed nearly 1000 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in Scotland a year, with around 50 of those coming from Forth Valley.
It has the lowest survival rate of all of the 20 most common cancers in the UK, with just 5% of people living for five years or more after diagnosis in Scotland. 1
Research has shown many of the symptoms are described as “vague” and are often missed. As a result, just 1 in 4 people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer survive beyond a year.1
Earlier this year, Stirling University student, Keir Morton, helped raise thousands of pounds for pancreatic cancer research, in memory of his Dad, who died just over two weeks after diagnosis.2 And in July, Jennifer Bairner from Stirling also raised money for pancreatic cancer research after her mum died less than two weeks after her diagnosis. She had shown no symptoms other than exhaustion and loss of appetite.3
On Wednesday, for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, MSP’s debated in parliament what action needs to be taken to improve the rates of Pancreatic Cancer in Scotland.
During the debate Evelyn Tweed MSP said: “Sadly the statistics show that even without the additional strain on health services across the UK, pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest and hardest to detect. It clearly needs more attention.
“Additional funding for our health boards will support better access to diagnostics and treatment, and the creation of Early Cancer Diagnostic Centres is a significant step forward. The message is clear; early detection and treatment is essential.”
“It is so important that anyone with symptoms of pancreatic cancer feels able to come forward and have a GP check them out.”
Helen Upfold, the Clinical Nurse Specialist who supports patients with pancreatic cancer in NHS Forth Valley, said: “Pancreatic cancer is caused by the uncontrolled growth of cells in the pancreas – a large gland that’s part of the digestive system. In the early stages, it doesn’t usually cause any symptoms, which can make it difficult to diagnose. However the first noticeable symptoms of pancreatic cancer are often a pain in the back or stomach area, unexpected weight loss or jaundice which causes yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.
“I’d encourage everyone to be aware of these symptoms and to contact their GP to get checked out as soon as possible as, like all types of cancer, the treatment options and outcomes are much better if it is diagnosed at an early stage.”