Our Marathon Runners: Steve Pitman
Steve Pitman, originally from Tameside is taking on the Brighton Marathon to raise money for Pancreatic Cancer Action. Steve currently lives in the Belgium but is coming over to attempt the Brighton Marathon, his first since 2003.
Steve thought he had no personal connection with pancreatic cancer, but he was appalled at the low survival rates and wanted to do something about it.
Steve says “I wasn’t aware of any connection to the disease until I posted details on my social media, since when I’ve found that a number of friends and family have been affected by the disease, which has spurred me on all the more.”
Sadly, this is not surprising as pancreatic cancer is the UK’s 5th biggest cancer killer. The survival rate is just 5% which is the lowest of any cancer.
The signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer include:
· Losing a significant amount of weight without trying
· Upper abdominal discomfort which radiates to the back
· Indigestion that is not responding to prescribed medication
· Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes and or very itchy skin
· Pale and smelly stools that don’t flush easily
· Mid-back pain where a woman’s bra strap sits and which may be eased by leaning forward.
If you are concerned by these symptoms, please see your GP straight away.
Pancreatic Cancer Action is committed to working towards earlier diagnosis of the disease so that surgery, currently the only cure, is made available to the sufferer. The charity fund research into early diagnosis, provide medical education programmes and launch awareness campaigns.
Ali Stunt, Founder of Pancreatic Cancer Action, said: “We rely solely on donations from the public and it is thanks to people like Steve that we can continue our vital work. Please back him in his fundraising efforts so that we can continue research into early diagnosis and raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.”
To find out more about Steve, and to sponsor him, click here.