Symptom awareness of deadliest cancers as low as 4% in the UK
4th February 2021
Guts UK is a founding charity member of the Less Survivable Taskforce (LSCT). The LSCT was set up by a group of charities all aiming to double survival rates of the 6 less survivable cancers by 2029. These are stomach, oesophageal, pancreatic, liver, brain & lung cancer.
The less survivable cancers have been neglected and underfunded for decades. Shockingly, the average five-year survival rate for these cancers is just 16%.
On World Cancer Day 2021, we are releasing data demonstrating that symptom awareness of the deadliest cancers is as low as 4% in the UK.
Symptom awareness of the less survivable cancers is frighteningly low. Covid-19 has exacerbated an already critical situation.
The percentage of people who would seek medical help for symptoms of the less survivable cancers dropped from 69% to 59% due to Covid-19.
The results of the LSCT’s UK-wide survey:
Just 11% of people could identify oesophageal cancer symptoms
Only 10% of people could identify stomach cancer symptoms
As few as 5% of people could identify liver cancer symptoms
Frighteningly, 4% of people could identify pancreatic cancer symptoms
Symptom awareness of lung cancer and brain tumours were higher, but there is a dangerous lack in public awareness of these less survivable cancers and their symptoms.
Anna Jewell – Chair of the LSCT
“It’s very concerning that this new data shows that public awareness of less survivable cancers is still dangerously low. All too often the consequence of this is late diagnosis and a tragic reduction in life expectancy.
Typical symptoms vary depending on the cancer but key red flags could include any of the following; indigestion, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, a loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing, a persistent cough, unexplained tiredness, headaches or nausea. The key message is toseek medical help swiftly if you notice anything unusual for you.” – Anna Jewell
Whatever festive season you celebrate, many of us can tend to ‘overindulge’ and our diets and eating habits change. Many social aspects of festive celebrations revolve around food and drink and this can feel both...
Guts UK is very proud to be funding research aiming to earlier diagnose oesophageal cancer using just a bag of breath! This research is being lead by Prof. George Hanna at Imperial College London, who...
At Guts UK, some members of our community rely on prescription pancreatic enzymes (Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy, PERT) to help them properly digest the food they eat. When your pancreas doesn’t produce enough enzymes to...
Guts UK has three charitable objectives: Provide expert information to patients Raise awareness of digestive health Fund research into the digestive system from top to tail; the gut, liver and pancreas How every £1 you...
Did you know your guts are 25ft long?! Sign up for more fascinating facts, the latest research developments and how you can support further, including fundraising activities and more:
Footer - Newsletter Signup
DID YOU KNOW YOUR GUTS ARE 25FT LONG?! SIGN UP FOR MORE FASCINATING FACTS, THE LATEST RESEARCH DEVELOPMENTS AND HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT FURTHER, INCLUDING FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES AND MORE:
By submitting this form, you are consenting to Guts UK contacting you by email as detailed above. To make any changes to your preferences you can email us on info@gutscharity.org.uk or by calling us on 020 7486 0341. Your details are safe with us. Please read our Privacy Policy for more details.
Guts UK is a founding charity member of the Less Survivable Taskforce (LSCT). The LSCT was set up by a group of charities all aiming to double survival rates of the 6 less survivable cancers by 2029. These are stomach, oesophageal, pancreatic, liver, brain & lung cancer.
The results of the LSCT’s UK-wide survey:
