Download Pancreatic Cancer Survivor Develops Tool to Aid Early Diagnosis Of

 Pancreatic Cancer Survivor Develops Tool to Aid Early Diagnosis Of Britain’s Fifth Biggest Cancer Killer In August 2007, Ali Stunt was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at only 41. Shocked and appalled that she had been diagnosed with a cancer with only a three per cent survival rate, she is now determined that more enjoy the outcome she has had and through Pancreatic Cancer Action, a charity she set up in 2010, she has helped develop the world’s first e-­‐learning tool to help GPs diagnose the disease earlier. With over half of pancreatic cancer patients being diagnosed in A&E and the majority of pancreatic cancer patients seeing a GP at least three times before a referral, Ali and her team at Pancreatic Cancer Action have developed one of the first practical tools to aid earlier diagnosis of Britain’s fifth deadliest cancer alongside the Royal College of GPs. 22 people die a day from pancreatic cancer, yet this disease receives only 1% of cancer research funding. The five year survival rate is only 3%, among the worst in Europe, and this figure has not changed for over 40 years. Most patients have a life expectancy of a mere four to six months on diagnosis. In the absence of a long term cure, earlier diagnosis is currently the only way forward providing patients with the potential for curative surgery. The GP e-­‐learning programme uses a case study format with video footage adding variety and reality and enables GPs to assess and improve their knowledge in the field of pancreatic cancer. Very importantly it looks at both a-­‐typical presentations of the disease as well as the more classic symptoms of the illness. 2012 marks the fifth anniversary of Ali’s diagnosis and Ali knows only too well that she is lucky to still be alive. What makes Ali different is that she was diagnosed in time to have the tumour removed by surgery -­‐ only 10 per cent of patients are – and this early diagnosis has almost certainly saved her life. Ali Stunt Chief Executive of Pancreatic Cancer Action explains, “I couldn’t understand that why I had never heard of pancreatic cancer, Britain’s fifth biggest cancer killer, until my own diagnosis. What I hadn’t also appreciated was just how lucky I was to be able to have surgery and I desperately want more to have the same outcome I have had.” Ali Stunt, continues, “The biggest problem with the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is that early symptoms can often be vague and unrecognised by both patient and doctor, plus there is no one clear indicator of the illness such as a lump. There are however a few key classic as well as a-­‐typical presentations along with clusters of symptoms that should give rise to suspicion leading to referral and more in depth tests.” Classic pancreatic cancer symptoms are significant abdominal pain and/ or back pain, painless jaundice (yellow skin/eyes, dark urine), and significant and unexplained weight loss. Other common symptoms are new onset diabetes not associated with weight gain, pain in the upper abdomen that typically radiates to the back, indigestion or abdominal discomfort, loss of appetite or nausea and vomiting, pain when eating and Steatorrhoea (fatty stools, often pale and smelly). Pancreatic Cancer Action is a national charity committed to improving survival rates for Britain’s 5th deadliest cancer through greater awareness of the disease amongst the general public and medical community, improved information and research funding. ENDS For further media information, please contact Fiona Taylor 01428 658733/ 07841396020 [email protected] For further information on pancreatic cancer, please contact Ali Stunt 0303 040 1770/ 07747017232. [email protected] www.pancreaticcanceraction.org