Pancreatic Awareness Month

Pancreatic Awareness Month

This November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.  You probably knew that Patrick Swayze died after he developed pancreatic cancer in 2009 and currently, in a very touching story line, Coronation Street’s Hayley Cropper is living with a diagnosis of terminal pancreatic cancer.  This disease is often a silent killer that is why more people need to know the signs and dangers.

For one thing how many people would know that pancreatic cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK?  But despite that, only 1% of research funding it spent on pancreatic cancer research specifically?  Pretty shocking, I am sure you will agree.  

So what are the warning signs?   Well over half of patients with pancreatic cancer already have jaundice when they first visit their doctor - which means yellow skin and yellowness also affecting the white parts of the eyes.  There might also be a lot of itching or a fever, or you might feel pain in your stomach and have noticed a sudden unexplained weight loss that might also be present.

So how can we help?   Maybe you know someone who has been affected by pancreatic cancer or perhaps you have the disease yourself. Maybe you just want to make a difference and to offer those with the condition some hope.  Well, for more information visit the Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month website. 

Why not organise your own Pancreatic Cancer Awareness event? It might be sports-related or be about something different altogether!  It's up to you and what you want to do.   Maybe you could get some people together and come up with ideas until you find a great option. You can even do some fundraising on line.  

For more information please follow the link on this article.

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Amanda Thomas

UK Health Radio