To mark the end of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month, Anne Martin from our Medical Negligence Team wanted to help raise awareness, support and the knowledge learnt through our clients that have been affected.
The past month has been Pancreatic Awareness Month. Run by Pancreatic Cancer UK, the campaign seeks to encourage people to recognise the signs and symptoms of this disease, so that those who may be affected can receive treatment as soon as possible.
According to Cancer Research UK, every year there are around 10,500 new cases of pancreatic cancer in the UK, and it is the 10th most common cancer in the UK.
Symptoms
Because symptoms can be vague, come and go and shared with more common problems, they can be hard to spot. This is the reason that, according to Pancreatic Cancer UK, most people receive a diagnosis of the cancer at a late stage, (up to 80% being at stage 3 and 4).
The common symptoms are:
- stomach or back pain
- jaundice (yellow skin or eyes and itchy skin)
- changes to bowel habits
- indigestion
- unexplained weight loss
- loss of appetite
As with all cancers, early identification and treatment are the best way to fight the disease. Unfortunately, our Medical Negligence Team has experience in dealing with cases of delayed diagnosis and seen the long-lasting complications this can cause for the individual, and the effect it this has their loved ones.
Further information on Pancreatic Cancer, together with help available for those directly affected, can be found on the following websites:
If you, or someone you know, have experienced delayed or unsatisfactory medical care in relation to Pancreatic Cancer, our team of specialist Medical Negligence Solicitors can help to pursue a claim for compensation.
