A deadly killer claims the lives of father and husband

WILTSHIRE, UK. Monday 3 November 2025 – There is a deadly killer at large in the UK, claiming 26 lives every single day. For Poppy Bruford, it struck twice, taking both her husband and her father.

Poppy, 36, from Wiltshire, is sharing her story as one of the faces of Pancreatic Cancer Action’s #DeadlyKiller campaign, launched this November for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, to expose the devastating reality of the deadliest of common cancers, pancreatic cancer.

Her dad’s illness began with weeks of back pain, exhaustion and weight loss. He was sent home for palliative care and died three days later. Soon after, her husband Rob began suffering from severe stomach cramps, vomiting and fatigue. Doctors initially suspected IBS, but scans revealed stage four pancreatic cancer. He died at just 36, three weeks later, leaving Poppy to raise their two young children alone.

“Losing my dad was heartbreaking, but losing Rob so soon after was unimaginable,” says Poppy. “Pancreatic cancer tore through my family twice, and both times we were powerless to stop it. People need to know the symptoms and act fast; it could save their life.”

Pancreatic cancer is often called the “silent” or “deadly killer” because its vague symptoms are easy to dismiss or confuse with less serious conditions. In the UK, 93% of all patients die within 5 years of diagnosis. More than half are diagnosed in A&E, when it is already too late for treatment. Despite being the fifth most deadly cancer, it receives only 3.1% of UK cancer research funding.

“Because most people cannot even point to where their pancreas is, awareness saves lives,” says Anthony Cummings, CEO of Pancreatic Cancer Action. “Stories like Poppy’s show exactly why we launched the #DeadlyKiller campaign, to stop pancreatic cancer being a death sentence.”

The #DeadlyKiller campaign calls on the public to learn the symptoms and support research that saves lives. Donations will fund awareness initiatives, GP education, and life-saving early diagnosis projects across the UK.

Common symptoms include:

• Persistent indigestion or heartburn
• Abdominal pain or discomfort, especially in the upper abdomen or back
• Unexplained weight loss
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Changes in bowel habits
• New-onset diabetes

To learn more about the #deadlykiller campaign and the symptoms of pancreatic cancer, visit pancreaticcanceraction.org/deadlykiller