Charity calls for urgent action as deaths from pancreatic cancer increase by 12% in just 3 years in the South West

Pancreatic cancer mortality rates in the South West have increased by a shocking 7% in just 3 years, with 946 people passing away from this terrible disease in 2016.

UK charity Pancreatic Cancer Action are asking people to take action and Turn it PurpleTM this November to help improve these dire statistics.

Nationally, almost 10,000 people are diagnosed every year with pancreatic cancer in the UK and almost 9,000 people die. Pancreatic cancer has the worst survival rate of all common cancers with less than 7% of patients surviving past 5 years[1]. This compares with 98%[2], 86%[3], and 67%[4] survival for testicular, breast and cervical cancers respectively. 

The survival statistics for pancreatic cancer have not changed markedly in nearly 50 years.

Early diagnosis is the key to improving survival rates as pancreatic cancer is almost always diagnosed too late for any effective treatment to be given. Only 10% of patients are diagnosed in time for surgery (currently the only cure), in fact, half of those diagnosed with the disease find out about it in A&E.

Founded by a pancreatic cancer survivor, who proves early diagnosis is achievable and survival is possible, Pancreatic Cancer Action (PCA) is on a mission to increase survival rates of pancreatic cancer by ensuring more people are diagnosed early and in time for surgery.

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month aims to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disease which is key to early diagnosis. PCA’s Turn it Purple campaign is fantastic opportunity for friends, families and communities to come together and turn the UK purple to highlight the importance of pancreatic cancer awareness.

This November, people all over the UK will be lighting buildings purple, holding ‘wear it purple’ and ‘bake it purple’ days and even planting purple pansies.

If you want to take action against pancreatic cancer you can order your free Turn it Purple pack

https://pancreaticcanceraction.org/support-us/raise-awareness/awareness-...