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Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
08 November 2022
Lead MP
Jim Shannon
Strangford
DUP
Responding Minister
Helen Whately
Tags
EmploymentNorthern IrelandScience & Technology
Word Count: 12273
Other Contributors: 7
At a Glance
Jim Shannon raised concerns about pancreatic cancer awareness month in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Mr. Shannon asks the Minister to commit to publishing a 10-year cancer plan that prioritizes pancreatic cancer, including investment in workforce training, ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment within 21 days, and providing specialist nurses to support patients post-diagnosis. He also requests funding for research and development aimed at improving early detection methods.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Mr. Shannon is concerned about the high mortality rate associated with pancreatic cancer, noting that only 7% of those diagnosed survive five years and Northern Ireland has a particularly poor survival rate at 4.9%. He highlights Rebecca Buggs' story to emphasize the importance of early detection and diagnosis, citing the devastating impact on patients and their families when symptoms are not taken seriously by healthcare providers. Mr. Shannon is worried about the lack of specific tests for pancreatic cancer and the low level of research funding directed towards it compared to other cancers.
Amy Callaghan
Lab
Tewkesbury
Ms Callaghan shared the story of her constituent Barbara who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after a long and arduous process, highlighting the need for better awareness and quicker diagnosis. She mentioned that only 16% of people are diagnosed at an early stage, with emergency presentation being the most common route to diagnosis.
Carla Lockhart
DUP
Upper Bann
Carla Lockhart highlighted the fear and impact of pancreatic cancer diagnoses, noting difficulties with accessing GP services due to vague symptoms and appointment barriers. She advocated for increased funding towards treatments and research, commending local charities like NIPANC and Pancreatic Cancer UK for their efforts.
Elliot Colburn
Con
Carshalton and Wallington
Elliot Colburn, the new chair of the all-party parliamentary group on cancer, called for a national-level focus on pancreatic cancer, investment in research, more data collection, publication of the 10-year cancer plan, and improved access to PERT. He highlighted the importance of workforce issues in delivering optimal care.
Feryal Clark
Lab
Enfield North
The MP praised the work of Pancreatic Cancer UK and highlighted that pancreatic cancer affects about 10,000 people annually in the UK, with three out of five being diagnosed at a very late stage. The survival rates are low: more than half die within three months, only 7% survive for over five years, and 5% for ten or longer. The MP called on the Government to outline plans to improve early diagnosis and address workforce issues in order to provide timely care.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
Gregory Campbell congratulates the lead MP on securing the debate and highlights the importance of November being Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. He agrees that early detection is key to improving survival rates, which are currently the lowest for all common cancers.
Siobhan Baillie
Con
Stroud
Ms Baillie highlighted the need for earlier detection of pancreatic cancer and better prescription of PERT, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness among healthcare professionals. She outlined six key asks to improve treatment and care pathways.
Steven Bonnar
SNP
Coatbridge and Chryston
Mr Bonnar highlighted the importance of raising awareness for pancreatic cancer, noting its low survival rate and high mortality. He mentioned that there are around 10,500 new cases in the UK each year, equating to 29 cases daily. Mr Bonnar emphasized early diagnosis as crucial for better survival outcomes, citing figures showing six times higher one-year survival rates at an earlier stage compared to late-stage diagnosis.
Government Response
Helen Whately
Government Response
Congratulated the hon. Member for Strangford on securing the debate; acknowledged speeches from other MPs, highlighted statistics about pancreatic cancer diagnosis rates and survival rates; discussed government initiatives such as community diagnostic centres and non-specific symptom pathways to improve early diagnosis; mentioned research funding through the National Institute for Health and Care Research; addressed questions regarding PERT treatment, workforce issues, and the 10-year cancer plan progress; expressed support for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.