The deadly cancer signs patients are ignoring

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.

A poll has revealed that 28 per cent of people wait three months before seeking help, while 22 per cent said that they would not feel confident recognising jaundice.

The survey of 2,000 adults, by Savanta ComRes on behalf of the charity, also found that 31 per cent would delay seeking help for longer than usual due to the pandemic.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, partly due to the fact that symptoms are vague. About four in five people with the disease are diagnosed when the cancer is at a late stage and they have missed out on the chance of life-saving treatment.

Diana Jupp, chief executive of Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: ‘There is no time to wait with pancreatic cancer. 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, director of the NHS Cancer Programme, 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.