MP backs better care for pancreatic cancer patients

Annually more than 9,400 new cases are diagnosed throughout the UK, with those figures set to soar to more than 12,000 by 2013.

Patients and families said that despite the high numbers, they routinely experience poor care and support with 53% saying they or their family members were not offered support when told of their diagnosis.

The Charter is an essential guide detailing the care and support that every patient should expect.

“The shock, fear and lack of information after my disgnosis was overwhelming,” said pancreatic cancer survivor Lynne Walker.

“If someone had put this guide in my hand when I was feeling so vulnerable it would have felt like gold dust. I want to see every patient and family given a copy,” she added.

“I was delighted to attend this important launch by Pancreatic Cancer UK, to meet patients and their families and to understand more about the challenges faced by many of those disgnosed with this dreadful disease which currently has the lowest survival rate of all 21 most common cancers,” said Mr Stewart.

“The Charter is an excellent tool for patients in Milton Keynes and throughout the UK and has the potential to make a very real difference to someone’s treatment and care.”

For more information about pancreatic cancer visit www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk