MP backs campaign to beat pancreatic cancer

South Lakes MP Tim Farron is tabling a motion in Parliament in support of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

Each year in Cumbria, around 82 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

According to Pancreatic Cancer UK, less than seven per cent of people with the diseases will survive beyond 5 years in the UK - the lowest survival rate of all the 20 common cancers.

The charity says unless urgent action is taken now, pancreatic cancer will become the fourth biggest cancer killer by 2026.

Despite this, research into pancreatic cancer has historically been underfunded with the disease only currently receiving 1.9 per cent of the UK cancer research budget.

Tim said: "Every hour in the UK one person's life is cruelly taken away by pancreatic cancer.

"Clearly much more work needs to be done to deliver the kind of change which we must see for people affected, and to achieve the improvements in survival so desperately needed.

"This year, 9,600 people in the UK will receive a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

"I want to encourage everyone in South Cumbria to join me in getting behind this campaign, to help change the future for everyone affected by the disease."

Lynn Quigley, Community Coordinator for North West England at Pancreatic Cancer UK said: "We're really pleased Tim is supporting Pancreatic Cancer UK to take on this tough disease and help us bring about change for people affected in Cumbria.

"Pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival of the 20 most common cancers, and survival has improved very little since the early 1970s.

"We know that awareness of the disease is low, so much more needs to be done to spread the word about the disease in the North West and across the UK.

"It is great to have Tim on board to help us get people talking about pancreatic cancer.

"Karen Bond was volunteering with me on my information stand when Tim met with us, he is her local MP.

"Karen has recently joined Pancreatic Cancer UK as an Information Volunteer, helping to raise awareness of the disease in Kendal.

"If anyone in the Cumbria area is interested in volunteering, please do get in touch by emailing getinvolved@pancreaticcancer.org.uk"