During November, we mark Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day, a day to highlight one of the most aggressive and challenging forms of cancer. This cancer claims the lives of many each year, including notable figures like Patrick Swayze, Alan Rickman, Steve Jobs, John Hurt, and Aretha Franklin. In the UK, pancreatic cancer has a survival rate of just around 7% five years post-diagnosis, one of the lowest among major cancers. Awareness and early intervention are our best weapons in facing it.
This form of cancer holds particular significance for me as it affected someone very close to my husband, Kevin. His dear friend, Neil, was diagnosed in his early 40s after repeated doctor visits for common symptoms – bloating, nausea, indigestion, and changes in bowel habits – often mistaken for IBS. When Neil sought a private consultation, the specialist recognised the disease instantly. His battle lasted 18 months, during which he underwent a Whipple procedure, an extensive surgery to remove cancerous portions of the pancreas and surrounding organs.
Saying goodbye to Neil was heart-wrenching. I’ll never forget watching Kevin throw one of the two keys of a 1974 vintage Yamaha RD350 motorbike (that he had bought from Neil) onto Neil’s coffin after it was lowered into the grave. Kevin still has the motorbike, and I doubt he will ever part with it. It remains a symbol of their friendship, passion for motorbikes, and shared years working together as car mechanics. Neil left behind a wife and a young son, and his legacy remains a stark reminder of the urgency of awareness and early action when it comes to detecting cancers of all kinds.
In the same spirit of honouring these special bonds, I wanted to share this photo of me standing near one of Kevin’s other beloved motorbikes, a Honda CBR 600. Up until five years ago, Kevin continued to ride regularly, and the Honda holds countless memories for us, having travelled many miles together across the UK on it. Those journeys remind us of the joy of shared passions and the beauty of building a life full of adventure and strength. We are lucky to have had all those years, ones that were sadly cut short for Neil.
Pancreatic cancer is known for being hard to detect early, and while doctors do their best, we must all listen to our bodies and advocate for ourselves. Changes in digestive habits, no matter how minor, should be taken seriously. I believe we have an innate sense when something isn’t right – trust that instinct, ask questions, seek second opinions, and talk openly about your health with family, friends, and medical professionals. Many factors, including age, smoking, obesity, type II diabetes, family history, chronic pancreatitis, alcohol consumption, and even infections like Helicobacter pylori, can increase the risk, underscoring the importance of a proactive approach to gut health.
Advancements in knowledge mean we now have resources and tools that didn’t exist 20 or 30 years ago. While awareness doesn’t mean we should live in fear, it does mean we are empowered, mindful, and equipped to take action when necessary.
Thank you for reading, and for joining in raising awareness around Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day. Together, we can make a difference. If you have a question about a digestive and gut health issue, please get in touch.
