Young adults and the middle-aged tend to delay dangerously before reporting symptoms of pancreatic cancer to a GP, according to a survey published yesterday.
More than a third of these younger patients also faced significant delays in getting a diagnosis for cancer, according to the charity Pancreatic Cancer UK.
The charity warned that 80% of people with pancreatic cancer are diagnosed too late to be cured.
Its survey found that 35% reported delays of three months or more between first reporting symptoms to a GP – or hospital doctor – and getting a diagnosis.
And about 20% of these young patients ended up seeking help through hospital accident and emergency departments, a survey found.
The survey found that 23% of those aged between 16 and 54 waited more than three months from their first symptoms before seeking the help of a doctor. This compared with 11% of those over the age of 75.
The charity called for the public to be more aware of symptoms, which include jaundice, unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain and oily floating faeces.
Chief executive Alex Ford said: “It is unacceptable that it remains a disease where 80% of patients are diagnosed at a point when there is no option for curative treatment.
"Early diagnosis is vital if we are to improve survival – and greater awareness of symptoms is vital if we are to improve early diagnosis.”
* A study reported today finds the public reluctant to make "regular" use of bowel cancer screening tests.
Researchers found that 70% would send back a screening test kit at least once – but only 40% return kits every time they are asked.
Researchers from University College London studied the behaviour of more than 60,000 people in their 60s.
The findings are reported in the journal Gut.
Lo SH et al. Colorectal cancer screening uptake over three biennial
invitation rounds in the English bowel programme Gut 9 May 2014
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