South Holland peer calls for increased investment into pancreatic cancer research

Lord Porter of Spalding is calling for further investment into pancreatic cancer research.

He is also urging people to know the symptoms of the disease.

It follows a reception at Westminster hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for pancreatic cancer, attended by Lord Porter, who is leader of South Holland District Council.

He learned that around 665 people in the East Midlands are diagnosed with the disease each year. In the UK, just five per cent of patients will live for five years or more after diagnosis. Yet, over the last decade, the disease has only received one per cent of the UK’s cancer research budget.

A recent survey found that about three in four people across the UK were unable to name a single symptom, such as tummy pain that can spread to the back, significant and unexplained weight loss, yellow skin or eyes or itchy skin (jaundice), oily floating faeces and indigestion.

Lord Porter said: “Pancreatic cancer is a disease which sadly affects many people in the East Midlands, and that’s why I am calling for increased research investment into the disease, and encouraging people to know the symptoms.

“It is crucial that this disease attracts more funding for research, so new and more effective tests and treatments can be created. At the same time, we all need to raise awareness of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer.

“I was shocked to hear how few UK residents are able to name a symptom, but I’m confident that people in South Holland will rise to the challenge of finding out more about the disease this pancreatic cancer awareness month.”

Alex Ford, chief executive of Pancreatic Cancer UK, who spoke at the APPG on pancreatic cancer reception, said: “We are delighted that Lord Porter has joined us in taking on this tough disease together.

“So little progress has been made for patients and their families in decades. In fact, survival rates for the disease have barely improved in over 40 years. This is partly due to a pitiful lack of research which has meant we have not seen the developments in tests and treatments which we have in so many other cancers in that time.”

Lord Porter is joining Pancreatic Cancer UK in encouraging people to find out more about the disease by taking part in the charity’s new symptoms quiz at www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/symptomsquiz.