A ‘worrying’ number of people put off seeking help for one of the most deadly cancers, a charity has warned.
Pancreatic Cancer UK said that anyone with common symptoms of the disease – including back pain, indigestion, stomach pain and weight loss – should see a GP if issues persist for more than four weeks.
Anyone with jaundice – yellowing of the skin or eyes – should go to A&E immediately, it added.
Each year, more than 10,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with the disease. Early detection can increase survival rates.
A poll found that 28 percent of people wait three months to seek help. 22 percent said that they are not confident in diagnosing jaundice.
Savanta ComRes conducted a survey of 2,000 adults on behalf of the charity and found that 31% would delay seeking help longer than usual because of the pandemic.
Because symptoms can be vague, pancreatic cancer is one the most deadly forms of cancer.
Around four out of five people diagnosed with the disease are diagnosed at a late stage, meaning they miss out on life-saving treatment.
Diana Jupp, chief executive of Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: ‘There is no time to wait with pancreatic cancer.
The charity urged that anyone with jaundice – yellowing of the skin or eyes – should go to A&E immediately
‘Thousands of people a year are told it’s too late, that nothing can be done for them. It is vital that people are diagnosed as early as possible to give them the best chance of having life-saving treatment.’
Dame Cally Palmer, the NHS’s national cancer director, said the NHS was ‘open and ready’ to treat people.
‘Cancer referrals and diagnosis are back to pre-pandemic levels, please don’t delay and come forward to get yourself checked,’ she added.
Pancreatic Cancer UK stated that half of those diagnosed with the disease die within three to six months.
Each year, more than 10,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with the disease.
Early detection is better for survival, so the charity urges the public to seek medical attention if they experience any symptoms.
Experts say they are ‘extremely concerned’ with the findings of the poll, and is urging people to find out more about the disease.
Patients with suspected pancreatic cancer may be referred by their GP for an ultrasound, CT, or MRI scan.
However nearly half of all pancreatic cancer patients are currently diagnosed via an emergency, such as a visit to A&E.
It can have a significant impact – the one-year survival rate for patients diagnosed by GP referrals is three times higher.