MADAM,

Tragically, just four per cent of people with pancreatic cancer in Wales live for five years or more after diagnosis, and more than 400 people in Wales die of the disease every year.

Last Friday (13th November) was World Pancreatic Cancer Day so I would like to invite your readers to know the symptoms of pancreatic cancer and help us spread the word about this dreadful disease, because in Wales as across the rest of the world, we simply don’t know enough about it.

If more people were aware of the potential symptoms, which include tummy pain, itchy skin or eyes or yellow skin, unexplained weight loss and oily floating faeces, more people could be diagnosed earlier.

We know the earlier people are diagnosed, the longer they are likely to live.

Readers can find more vital information at www.worldpancreaticcancerday.org

Dianne Dobson

(Pancreatic Cancer UK nurse specialist)