Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps his Department has taken to raise awareness of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer.

In 2017, Public Health England (PHE) ran a pilot campaign in the East and West Midlands. The pilot focused on a range of abdominal symptoms, such as diarrhoea, bloating and discomfort that can be indicative of a number of cancers, including pancreatic cancer. Further information on the pilot is available at the following link:

https://campaignresources.phe.gov.uk/resources/campaigns/16-be-clear-on-cancer/Abdominal%20Symptoms%20Regional%20Pilot

PHE has run a number of ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaigns to help improve early detection of cancer. A number of factors are taken into account when deciding which campaigns to develop and run, with one of the main criteria being the scope to save lives through earlier diagnosis. This can only be effective through broad awareness campaigns if the cancer has a clear sign or symptom that the general public can act upon should it arise.

PHE is currently undertaking new data analysis and research to determine the future direction of Be Clear on Cancer activity.