Pancreatic cancer - a petition
Discussion
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/22411
Not my usual cancer 'favourite' I know but another very close to my heart, primarily because it's always scared the proverbial out of me due to its incredibly low survival rate and the manner in which it acts - it's pretty unpleasant, more so than most. I don't honestly know what good a parliamentary discussion will do, but anything that raises awareness and may possibly bring about some action can't be a bad thing in my book.
The blurb on the petition says
"Pancreatic cancer is the 5th leading cause of cancer death in the UK, yet Pancreatic cancer has the worst survival rate of all cancers. 5-year survival is only 3%. This figure has not changed in over 40 years while deaths from many other cancers declined.
Pancreatic cancer could be termed ‘The Hidden Killer’. Many of its symptoms mirror other less critical illnesses and GPs often do not realise their significance. GPs may first look at other possible causes for these symptoms resulting in time being lost before the correct diagnosis is reached. By this time it can be too late to save the patient. THIS SITUATION CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE"
Not my usual cancer 'favourite' I know but another very close to my heart, primarily because it's always scared the proverbial out of me due to its incredibly low survival rate and the manner in which it acts - it's pretty unpleasant, more so than most. I don't honestly know what good a parliamentary discussion will do, but anything that raises awareness and may possibly bring about some action can't be a bad thing in my book.
The blurb on the petition says
"Pancreatic cancer is the 5th leading cause of cancer death in the UK, yet Pancreatic cancer has the worst survival rate of all cancers. 5-year survival is only 3%. This figure has not changed in over 40 years while deaths from many other cancers declined.
Pancreatic cancer could be termed ‘The Hidden Killer’. Many of its symptoms mirror other less critical illnesses and GPs often do not realise their significance. GPs may first look at other possible causes for these symptoms resulting in time being lost before the correct diagnosis is reached. By this time it can be too late to save the patient. THIS SITUATION CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE"
Agreed, not sure what the petition is for?
One of our close friends died earlier this year from this. She was early 40's and leaves a husband and 7 year old. We were busy telling her that advances these days etc, etc means she'll be fine, but she'd done her research. When I went to see her in hospital about a week after hearing she had gone in and wouldn't be coming out, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The total destruction of a vey attractive, relatively young woman. She looked like she'd spent 40 years in a concentration camp. I couldn't stay.
I remember her telling me that something like 30 years ago, the survival rate was x% and that that percentage hasn't changed at all.
Bless you Caris.
One of our close friends died earlier this year from this. She was early 40's and leaves a husband and 7 year old. We were busy telling her that advances these days etc, etc means she'll be fine, but she'd done her research. When I went to see her in hospital about a week after hearing she had gone in and wouldn't be coming out, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The total destruction of a vey attractive, relatively young woman. She looked like she'd spent 40 years in a concentration camp. I couldn't stay.
I remember her telling me that something like 30 years ago, the survival rate was x% and that that percentage hasn't changed at all.
Bless you Caris.
My Dad was diagnosed with this about 2 months ago. He got really bad stomach pains in Jan this year and gave up work. He was going back and forth to the hospital and all they did was give him more pain killers and really took their time diagnosing the issue. Shockingly bad..
He's a big strong guy and lost about 3 stone and went downhill very fast.
He is currently doing really well and has put on 5kg in 3 weeks and is getting back to his old self again. He has has 3 lots of chemo and is on various things to fight this - some alternative stuff too. Im hoping he will carry on making this progress.
He's a big strong guy and lost about 3 stone and went downhill very fast.
He is currently doing really well and has put on 5kg in 3 weeks and is getting back to his old self again. He has has 3 lots of chemo and is on various things to fight this - some alternative stuff too. Im hoping he will carry on making this progress.
My dad died of this in May this year after a 15 month battle. The low survival rate comes from the fact it is rarely picked up early enough and only found through other symptoms. In my dads case he had jaundice where the tumer had blocked the bile duct. They said he had probably had the tumor for 2-3 years but it had been small.
As already said its a harsh cancer with limited options if caught late(as most are) except for chemo to try and keep it at bay. Loads of ups amd downs in the those 15 months that i wouldn't wish on anyone. But with an average of 3-6 months after diagnosies i am thankfully that i had the extra time with him. Also my sister gave birth to his 1st grandson 10 weeks premature just a week before he died so he was able to see him in that time.
I think anything that raises awareness can't be baf and if just one person gets checked out early and survives then its worth it.
As already said its a harsh cancer with limited options if caught late(as most are) except for chemo to try and keep it at bay. Loads of ups amd downs in the those 15 months that i wouldn't wish on anyone. But with an average of 3-6 months after diagnosies i am thankfully that i had the extra time with him. Also my sister gave birth to his 1st grandson 10 weeks premature just a week before he died so he was able to see him in that time.
I think anything that raises awareness can't be baf and if just one person gets checked out early and survives then its worth it.
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