Introducing our new pharmacy training module: a step towards early diagnosis.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, with early diagnosis being the key to improving survival rates. Yet, too often, the symptoms go unnoticed until it is too late. This is where community pharmacists play a crucial role. As universally accessible healthcare professionals with regular, trusted contact with their customers, they are uniquely positioned to spot early signs of pancreatic cancer and make a lifesaving difference. We are proud to have our new training module hosted on the NHS Learning Hub.
Pharmacists have daily interactions with their customers, often building relationships that allow them to recognise subtle changes in health. This familiarity puts them in a prime position to identify the warning signs of pancreatic cancer. For instance, they may observe progressive weight loss, jaundice, or notice that a customer’s persistent symptoms, such as back pain or indigestion, are resistant to over-the-counter treatments. These can all be early indicators of pancreatic cancer, and a well-informed pharmacist can guide patients to seek urgent medical attention.
At Pancreatic Cancer Action, we have worked closely with EL Learning Design to launch a new and improved eLearning module tailored for community pharmacists and their teams. This comprehensive training equips them with the knowledge to:
- Understand where the pancreas is and its functions in the body.
- Identify the risk factors associated with pancreatic cancer and explore its impact on sufferers.
- Recognise the symptoms that may indicate pancreatic cancer and require urgent referral to a GP.
- Reflect on the communication skills needed when speaking to customers suffering from pancreatic cancer or showing symptoms.
By completing this module, pharmacists will not only gain critical insights into the detection of pancreatic cancer but will also have the confidence to take action that could directly lead to earlier diagnoses, ultimately saving lives.
As Ade Williams, our pharmacist ambassador, powerfully put it:
“Community Pharmacy is now well acknowledged as a cornerstone of equitable NHS Care. As the most accessible delivery point of healthcare, with innumerable daily contacts, care interactions and conversations, this is why evidence indicates that improving earlier pancreatic cancer diagnoses requires the Community Pharmacy team. Earlier diagnoses saves lives and improves treatment outcomes. This training resource, provided by Pancreatic Cancer Action, who have long championed the role and expertise of Community Pharmacy Teams including the wider pharmacy profession now embedded across the NHS footprint, helps provide the knowledge and expertise needed. Please do take some time to complete the eLearning module, so that together we will help save lives.”
This endorsement from a leading voice in the pharmacy community highlights the importance of this training. Pharmacy teams are not just providers of medication, they hold a vital role in the early diagnosis of life-threatening conditions like pancreatic cancer.
We will also be attending the Pharmacy Show at NEC Birmingham from 13th-14th October to promote our new eLearning resource. With over 8,000 pharmacists in attendance, this is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of the crucial role that pharmacists can play in early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and liaise with them face-to-face about the difference they can make to survival rates.
We are also successful in securing a breakout session at this year’s Scottish Cancer Conference at the EIC in Edinburgh, Monday 25th November 2024. The title of this breakout session is ‘Community Pharmacy – The new front line for detecting cancer early’. During this session, we will be discussing current pilot programmes throughout the UK where pharmacists can directly refer patients onto the cancer pathway and the benefit of having these implemented in Scotland. We will also be demonstrating our new eLearning module and will encourage attendees to promote it within their local community.
By using the trust pharmacists have within their communities, we can start to turn the tide against pancreatic cancer. We encourage all pharmacists and pharmacy teams to complete the eLearning module.
With the collaborative effort of healthcare professionals and ongoing public education, we believe we can shift the future of pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Thank you to Viatris for their generous support in making this possible.
By focusing on the critical role of the pharmacy team, our new training highlights their potential to become key players in the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. With the right tools, we believe pharmacies can transform outcomes for patients across the UK.