Claire Scott was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer four years ago - she was just 27-years-old.
The Co Derry woman says she went from being diagnosed with the disease to having major surgery two weeks later. And while she says it was lucky that she got her diagnosis and surgery when she did, "it shouldn't be down to luck".
Speaking to Belfast Live about her experience, the 32-year-old described her diagnosis as "a complete whirlwind".
Read more: Fundraising appeal for Belfast children left orphaned after mum's death
She said: "I was diagnosed in September 2018 and about six months before then I had a random blood test which came back with a dodgy liver function. They said that someone my age shouldn't have a liver function like that, but that it was also probably nothing to worry about.
"In August of that year, I had a bout of nausea for about three days and my mum actually flagged that I should get it checked out. My GP sent me to A&E and they did some tests and said that my liver functions were crazy and then I ended up pushing to have scans done.
"I wasn't in acute pain but I knew something wasn't right. I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and I had a pancreatic tumour the sizer of a mango. It was pushing the liver out of the way and I was really lucky because often tumours spread to the liver whereas mine was trying to take up more room.
"I've had grandparents who had pancreatic cancer, so on one hand I was thinking that this isn't good but I also thought 'I am only 27'. The following week, on the Friday, I had a meeting to discuss options and then later that afternoon I got the call to come into the Mater Hospital to have the surgery."
Claire underwent major surgery to remove her entire pancreas, gallbladder and part of her stomach. Post-surgery, Claire id diabetic and takes enzymes to eat.
"Now, four years on, I realise how lucky I was to get my diagnosis and surgery when I didd," she added.
"But it shouldn’t be down to luck. Timely diagnosis and treatment for pancreatic cancer is not only possible, but essential for survival. If you are experiencing new or unusual symptoms, my advice would be to see your doctor as soon as possible. Time can change everything."
Speaking out on Wednesday, Claire shares her voice and message for awareness with the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce (LSCT), who released new data on Less Survivable Cancers Awareness Day to highlight the critical importance of symptom awareness for early diagnosis of these cancers.
The taskforce represents six less survivable cancers - lung, liver, brain, oesophageal, pancreatic and stomach.
A UK-wide survey carried out by the LSCT found that awareness of the symptoms of these deadliest cancers is dangerously low across the country. Only 2% of respondents in Northern Ireland and 1% in the UK were able to correctly identify all symptoms of liver cancer from a list presented to them.
Symptom awareness for oesophogeal and stomach cancers fared slightly better at 4% and 2% respectively while only 8% of respondents knew all the symptoms of pancreatic cancer. 10% of people could spot the signs of lung cancer while knowledge of brain tumour symptoms was higher but still only 27%.
When asked whether they had a friend or loved one who had delayed seeking medical advice when experiencing symptoms which were later shown to be caused by a less survivable cancer, 30% of respondents in Northern Ireland said yes. Of these cases, 63% were told by medical professionals that this delay had an impact on their treatment options.
Anna Jewell, Chair of the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce, said: "It is deeply concerning that most of the general public are unaware of common symptoms of less survivable cancers. It’s one of the many challenges that we’re facing in the fight against these deadly diseases. All of the less survivable cancers are difficult to diagnose. Screening programmes are limited or non-existent and treatment options are falling far behind those for more-survivable but equally common cancers.
"The Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce is urging everyone to be aware of the symptoms of cancer and to seek medical help at the earliest opportunity if they recognise any of the signs.
"We’re also calling on all UK governments to commit to increasing survival rates for less survivable cancers to 28% by 2029 by delivering on their commitments to speed up diagnosis and proactively investing in research and treatment options.
“While it's encouraging that more people in the UK are now surviving cancer than ever before, progress for these six deadly cancers continues to lag worryingly behind improvements seen in diagnosis and treatments for other common cancers."
Dr Marnix Jansen, cancer specialist at UCL Cancer Institute and GUTS UK - funded researcher said: "The symptoms of less survivable cancers such as stomach cancer can be difficult to spot or even non-existent until the later stages of the disease. Despite this, public awareness of the common signs is crucial if we’re going to tackle the problem of late diagnosis. As well as this, we need more emphasis and investment in research for treatment and prevention of these cancers if we’re going to increase survival chances."
For more information, please visit here.
READ NEXT:
- Watch: Co Down man living in LA reunited with family after seven years
- NI mum marks recovery from amputation and mastectomy by training for triathlon
- Asda extends £1 cafe offer for kids and over 60s in NI
- 27 big gigs in Belfast to look forward to in 2023
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
