Pancreatic cancer could be detected three years earlier if people were regularly weighed and had blood sugar levels checked

Experts have claimed that pancreatic cancer could be diagnosed up to three years earlier if people were regularly weighed and had their blood sugar levels checked.

Currently over 10,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with the disease, which has a high death rate due to around 90 per cent of people being diagnosed too late for surgery, which is the only cure.

Now, a recent study of over 43,000 people in England has revealed that the cancer could be detected three years earlier than now.

It is during the early stages of the disease that people develop abnormally high blood pressure and are likely to become noticeably underweight.

Researchers compared the body mass index and blood sugar measurements of 8,777 pancreatic cancer patients to those of almost 356,000 people without the disease of the same age and gender.  The readings revealed that in the five years up to diagnosis for patients, and the same time period for the people without cancer, it was clear differences appeared very early.

Dr Agnieszka Lemanska, study leader, from the University of Surrey, said “Significant decline in weight and increase in blood glucose could be detected in patients’ years in advance of them receiving a diagnosis for pancreatic cancer.”

Ali Stunt, chief executive of Pancreatic Cancer Action and co-author of the study, said “I am one of the one per cent who survive pancreatic cancer beyond ten years, and it’s a lonely place to be.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Freephone : 0800 304 7382