Albion support new Pancreatic cancer initiative
Plymouth Albion are getting behind well renowned local surgeon Somaiah Arooai and Pancreatic Cancer Nurse Specialist, Claire Goulding, in their drive to help raise awareness of the early causes and treatment of Pancreatic cancer.
29 people are diagnosed with the condition every day and the survival rates have not improved since the late 1970’s. The inspirational Plymouth based medics are keen to change things and, with the help of their local rugby club, are driving a new initiative to get people in the Ocean City to become more aware of early symptoms. For the remainder of the season and into next term, Albion will display new posters that will highlight key symptoms that may lead to earlier diagnosis and vastly improve prospects for those affected.
Speaking of the initiative, Mr Arooai said, “Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive gastrointestinal cancers. The majority of patients do not survive longer than six months, often because of late presentation and delayed diagnosis. Despite the advances in technology and new cancer drugs, the survival of patients with pancreatic cancer has not changed in the last 40 years. One way to improve pancreatic cancer survival is to diagnose early and treat it early. We are launching a campaign to raise awareness about early signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer, please do consult your doctor if you have any of the signs and symptoms outlined in the poster.”
He was supported by Nurse Goulding who said, “We are passionate about increasing awareness of the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer as it is so vital. Symptoms are often vague, people and healthcare professionals often dismiss them. Therefore education is the key to early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer which can really save lives”.
Albion’s commercial manager Chris Bentley added “I was introduced to Somaiah and was taken aback by how little has improved in the outcome following diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer in the past 40 years. In some part, it is down to lack of awareness of early symptoms and we are keen to help Somaiah and Claire to amplify their message to the greater Plymouth region. This is not really within the remit of the rugby club but we are keen to do more with our community and it felt right to help spread the word and help people to get earlier diagnosis and resultant better prognosis”
Picture of Albion 1st XV members alongside Mr Somiah Amoori and Claire Goulding displaying the posters to be displayed that the Brickfields ground
Photo Credit – David Cunningham
Pancreatic cancer statistics
- 1 in 4 (25.4%) of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in England survive their disease for one year or more (2013-2017).
- It is predicted that 5 in 100 (5%) of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in England survive their disease for ten years or more (2013-2017).
- Pancreatic cancer survival in England is higher for people diagnosed aged under 50 years old (2009-2013).
- Pancreatic cancer survival has not shown much improvement in the last 40 years in the UK.
- In the 1970s, 1% of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer survived their disease beyond ten years, now it’s still 1%.
- Five-year relative survival for pancreatic cancer in men and women is below the European average in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
(Source : Cancer Research UK)
If you identify with any of the symptoms shown on the poster, please do contact your GP!
