A new survey indicates that only one in 10 general practitioners (GPs) have the tools necessary to diagnose pancreatic cancer at an early stage. The survey was conducted by ComRes on behalf of Pancreatic Cancer UK, the leading charity for the condition. It comes in the wake of a new campaign, Unite-Diagnose-Save Lives, which supports the development of the first-ever simple diagnostic test pancreatic cancer by 2024.
The findings showed that only 11 per cent of GPs had the tools required for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, at a stage early enough for starting treatment. Fifty-four per cent of GPs said they had some tools, but more were necessary. Twenty-eight per cent reported having no tools to detect the deadly disease at a stage where treatment is possible. A mere three per cent of GPs expressed confidence in detecting the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer in a patient.
'The Early Diagnosis Research Alliance' comprising 40 researchers across the UK will collaboratively work towards implementation of a dedicated diagnostic pathway for pancreatic cancer in the NHS. Professor Steve Pereira, who leads the alliance, said: "For the first time we will be able to investigate a number of keys, interrelated barriers to early diagnosis simultaneously, which will help us make faster progress."
