Key Messages for the medical community:
Pancreatic cancer has one of the highest incident-to-mortality ratio for any disease.
In 2008, 8,085 people were newly diagnosed in the UK and in 2009, 8,047 people died (22 people per day) for more in-depth information, see our pancreatic cancer statistics page
Every GP in the UK will see a new patient with pancreatic cancer at least every 4-5 years and most patients have a delay in diagnosis.*
The average-size GP practice will see on average one case of pancreatic cancer per year.
It is vital therefore that clinicians are reappraised of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer in order to save lives.
* NICE (2005) Referal for Suspected Cancer. A Clinical Practice Guideline.
We understand that GPs are extremely busy and can find it difficult to leave the surgery to attend training sessions. To make it easier for practitioners to get access to the latest information on pancreatic cancer we have decided to make use of technology.
We are currently working with the RCGP to develop free online interactive training on pancreatic cancer. Designed by specialists in the field and overseen by practising GPs, this tool will provide you with a refresher on the disease to include all the latest developments in diagnostics, surgery and chemotherapy options for patients. Using videoed case studies we look at real-life situations that you could be presented with in your surgery.
When live, this will be hosted on the RCGP website and you will be awarded Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits for taking part in the course.
If you would like to be informed about when the pancreatic cancer training tool will go live, please contact carolyn@pancreaticcanceraction.org
Many hospital trusts will be holding talks on pancreatic cancer throughout 2011 as part of their regular GP Training programme.
We will normally organise up to three speakers for an hour’s talk. The speakers will usually consist of a specialist consultant (surgeon, oncologist, palliative care consultant) and others with a pancreatic cancer specialism such as a dietitian. We also like to include, where possible, a patient to give their direct experience. 
We like to use specialists who are local to the area where the training is given. This not only helps with the logistics of the event but provides attendees with a local specialist contact going forward.
We are also able to help with training materials in terms of powerpoint slides which can be customised by the specialist to reflect their local situation. We will also prepare leaflets for distribution in local GP practices and in hospitals to advertise the event.
If you are interested in setting one up in your area, please get in touch enquiries@pancreaticcanceraction.org
See our article “Improving outcomes in pancreatic cancer: Whipples, chemotherapy or optimised primary care? in the National Association of Primary Care Review Spring/Summer 2011
Practice nurses could be the first medical professional a patient who has symptoms of pancreatic cancer will visit.
They may be in for a routine diabetic clinic or flu jab and it may be you they ask about the ‘vague’ pancreatic cancer symptoms they have been having.
Practice and community nurses are therefore vital in the push for earlier diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and we hope you can help us.
We are already developing online interactive training for GPs but soon this is to be expanded to include practice nurses. We will update you once this is ready.
Here are some things medical professionals can do to help raise awareness of the disease:
