Shadow Health Minister and Clwyd West AM Darren Millar attended a parliamentary reception at the National Assembly this week, organised by Pancreatic Cancer UK, to help spread the word about the disease during pancreatic cancer awareness month, which runs throughout November.
Over 500 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer every year in Wales. Tragically, just four per cent of patients in Wales live for five years or more after diagnosis.
At the event Darren met local patients and their families and representatives from Pancreatic Cancer UK, as well as surgeons, oncologists, and nurses who support people with the disease.
He said:
“It was a pleasure to attend this event organised by Pancreatic Cancer UK, to learn more about the work of the charity and the support and research it funds. Sadly, the survival rate for pancreatic cancer speaks for itself and it is clear that there is a huge amount of work to be done to change that. There are many people within my constituency who have been touched by pancreatic cancer. We need to do more to improve awareness of the disease to help more people be diagnosed earlier. That’s why I’m supporting Pancreatic Cancer UK during pancreatic cancer awareness month this November.”
Alex Ford, Chief Executive of Pancreatic Cancer UK said: “We were delighted to welcome Darren to this important event and we thank him for his support. We hope he will help us spread the word about the disease in Clwyd West this pancreatic cancer awareness month.”
The symptoms of pancreatic cancer include tummy pain, weight loss, yellow skin or eyes or itchy skin, and oily floating stools.
For more information about pancreatic cancer awareness month, visit www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/pcam
PICTURE CAPTION: Clwyd West AM Darren Millar at the Cross-Party Parliamentary Reception at the National Assembly with Colwyn Bay resident Gaz Jabeen, whose husband Martin passed away with pancreatic cancer last year, and a representative of Pancreatic Cancer UK.