Stand in entrance aims to increase awareness of disease
National charity Pancreatic Cancer UK, supported by the Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Oncology department, has launched Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month at Hammersmith Hospital.
An awareness stand has been set up in the main entrance of the hospital in order to raise awareness of the deadly disease which affects more than 8,350 men and women in the UK each year.
The awareness stand, which will remain at the hospital throughout November is accessible to anyone seeking information on the disease.
Pancreatic Cancer UK guides patients through their diagnosis and treatment journey via a telephone and email support service and also provides information resources. These include a booklet for those recently diagnosed, factsheets on diet and pancreatic cancer as well as two new recently launched factsheets on surgery for the disease. All of the charity’s information is reviewed by health professionals and people affected by pancreatic cancer.
Debbie Wells, Involvement Co-ordinator, Pancreatic Cancer UK says: " We are delighted that Hammersmith Hospital agreed to hold an awareness event. It was an important opportunity for us to be able to provide support to and share information with those that have been affected by pancreatic cancer and who might not have been aware of our organisation before.
" It is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month so we were also able to educate those not familiar with the disease too, as we often find people know very little, or anything about it."
Sharon Taffurelli, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Hammersmith Hospital adds: " As pancreatic cancer may not present any symptoms until the disease has advanced, it is paramount that people are aware of the most common symptoms of pancreatic cancer and visit their GP as soon as possible.
" I would like to thank Pancreatic Cancer UK for their time and hard work in helping Hammersmith Hospital to launch this awareness month."
Supporters of Pancreatic Cancer UK are being asked to get involved in November’s Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, by taking part in Raise for Research. The campaign supports the charity’s aims to increase pancreatic cancer survival rates by increased investment in and focus on research.
In September, Pancreatic Cancer UK released its report, entitled A cancer of unmet need: the pancreatic cancer research challenge which highlighted an urgent need to redress a historical legacy of neglect surrounding investment into pancreatic cancer research in the UK.
-November 16, 2012
November 16, 2012
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