Doctor issues warning over 'silent' cancer that most people catch too late

A doctor has issued a stark warning about a type of cancer with one of the lowest survival rates.

Pancreatic cancer is often dubbed a 'silent' killer as its symptoms frequently go unnoticed until the disease is at an advances stage. In the UK, pancreatic cancer is the tenth-most common type of cancer, with about 30 people diagnosed daily.

Dr Karan Raj, who regularly shares health advice to TikTok, shared some hope for those with concerns about the disease. He said: "I've got some bad news and some good news.

READ MORE: Doctor's brain tumour warning as Davina McCall shares post-operation health update

READ MORE: Queen Camilla pulls out of major event following health update as doctor shares warning

"The bad news is that purple stands for pancreatic cancer, which has one of the lowest survival rates, partly because it's often diagnosed late. Now for the good news.

"There's a simple breath test that we could use to pick it up earlier and improve chances of survival. But it needs research funding."

In his campaign to aid early detection and ultimately boost survival chances, Dr Raj has pledged to run the London Marathon in 2025 to support Pancreatic Cancer UK. He also shared two ways fans can help finance critical research.

Firstly, he invited followers to try out the Coopah running app for a two-week free period where the company promises to donate £10 using his code. Next, he encouraged supporters to donate directly to his fundraising efforts. The doctor has promised to update fans on TikTok about his marathon training journey as he prepares for next year's event.

Pancreatic Cancer UK, who are spearheading the development of the ground-breaking breath test, have stated that this new research could potentially save thousands of lives annually. Pancreatic cancer is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage, making it more challenging to treat and reducing the likelihood of recovery for patients.

For those diagnosed before the cancer has spread beyond the pancreas, nearly 55% are projected to survive their cancer for at least one year, with over 25% surviving for three years or more. However, if the cancer is detected after it has metastasised to another part of the body, only 10% will survive for a year following diagnosis and about 1% are expected to survive for three years or more.

The symptoms of pancreatic cancer can often be hard to spot initially. The NHS lists some signs of the disease as jaundice (yellowing of the whites of your eyes or your skin), itchy skin, and unusually dark urine and pale faeces. Unintentional weight loss or loss of appetite can also be indicative, as can fatigue, fever, and feeling hot or shivery.

Digestive issues may also present. These can lead to nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, or other changes in your faeces, abdominal or back pain, or symptoms resembling indigestion.

Symptoms of certain health issues might often go unnoticed for extended periods. Individuals with common gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) might experience these symptoms regularly, becoming used to their presence.

Kate Sweeney, Head of Clinical Negligence at Simpson Millar, is strongly encouraging individuals to pay attention to their bodies and seek medical advice if they have any concerns. She has highlighted the covert nature of pancreatic cancer, which can easily be confused with less serious conditions, stating: "Pancreatic cancer is often called a 'silent cancer' because its symptoms can be vague or mistaken for other conditions.

"Early diagnosis is critical for improving outcomes – a late diagnosis often means that treatment options are limited: seven in ten people do not receive active treatment due to late-stage detection."