A deadly killer makes attempt on Manchester woman

MANCHESTER, UK. Monday 10 November 2025– There is a deadly killer at large in the UK, claiming 26 lives every single day. For Chris Smith, 73, from Manchester, that killer came for her four times – and she beat it.

Chris is one of the faces of Pancreatic Cancer Action’s #DeadlyKiller campaign, launched this November for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, to expose the devastating impact of the deadliest of common cancers and the urgent need for early diagnosis.

Over six years, Chris has fought bladder, lung, and throat cancers before being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the hardest of all to survive. After major surgery to remove part of her pancreas and spleen at The Christie Hospital, followed by months of chemotherapy, she is now cancer-free and determined to raise awareness.

“None of us know what’s around the corner,” says Chris. “If you feel something isn’t right, don’t ignore it. Push for answers. Get that second opinion. It could save your life.”

Chris credits her survival to persistence, early diagnosis, and the care of her medical team. She says her story proves that with vigilance and awareness, pancreatic cancer doesn’t always have to be a death sentence.

Pancreatic cancer is often called the “silent” or “deadly killer” because its vague symptoms are easy to dismiss. In the UK sadly, 50% of people diagnosed with this deadly disease will die within 3 months, and a shocking 93% will die within 5 years. Despite being the deadliest common cancer, it receives just 3.1% of UK cancer research funding.

“Chris’s story shows that awareness and persistence can change outcomes,” says Anthony Cummings, CEO of Pancreatic Cancer Action. “She embodies the hope at the heart of our #DeadlyKiller campaign, that knowing the symptoms and acting fast can save lives.”

As part of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, Pancreatic Cancer Action will be at Manchester Train Station on Thursday 13 November, raising funds and awareness. The public are invited to come along, meet the team, and learn the signs that could save a life.

The #DeadlyKiller campaign urges people to learn the symptoms and support life-saving research and education 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

Learn more about the #DeadlyKiller campaign and the symptoms of pancreatic cancer.