Council pledges support to those with pancreatic cancer

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council are helping to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer, a disease which 250 people are diagnosed with each year in Northern Ireland.

The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council hosted a reception with key community representatives for Pancreatic Cancer awareness month which is held every November.

This year Pancreatic Cancer UK launched their Demand Survival Now campaign which is the largest and most important to date.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Maureen Morrow, said: “We’re really proud to be helping raise awareness and show our support for all of those living with pancreatic cancer.

“Early prevention is key in all cancers, which is why it’s so important to know the signs and symptoms.

“We will continue to work with our health providers here in Mid and East Antrim to make sure that people receive the support they need.”

Despite huge progress in overall cancer survival, pancreatic cancer remains the deadliest common cancer - eight times more deadly than other common cancers like prostate, breast or bowel cancer.

Survival has not improved for more 50 years and the UK is falling further behind the rest of Europe, with fewer patients receiving surgery to remove their tumour – the only potential cure. It is a cancer emergency like no other: 1 in 4 people with pancreatic cancer will die within a month of diagnosis.

Pancreatic Cancer UK are urging the public to sign a petition demanding Governments across the UK take action to give people with pancreatic cancer a fair chance of survival.

To find out more visit www.demandsurvivalnow.org.uk (live from 28 October).