Musician Andy Rourke, bassist for The Smiths, has died at the age of 59 following a long battle with pancreatic cancer - which earlier this year also claimed the life of Jerry Springer.
The disease has one of the lowest survival rates of any cancer, so it's essential to catch it early if there's to be a chance of treatment.
Knowing the symptoms, which can be hard to spot, is crucial, as Cancer Research UK say just five per cent of patients survive for more than a decade after diagnosis.
Pancreatic cancer is known as a silent disease, and symptoms can often be mistaken for other less serious health conditions.
With this in mind, we've looked at the most common signs, and if you spot them you should contact your doctor immediately.
Do you know someone who has suffered with pancreatic cancer? Let us know in the comments...
Yellowing of the skin, known as jaundice, and bleeding in the stomach or intestine are the two most serious symptoms associated with pancreatic cancer.
Other symptoms include an increased thirst and dark yellow urine, but you should also be on the lookout for problems swallowing, Diarrhoea, a change in bowel habits, vomiting or indigestion.
An abdominal mass or abdominal pain can also be an indicator, as can weight loss, constipation, fat in stool, nausea, flatulence, heartburn, fever, tiredness, appetite loss, itching and back pain.
A recent study found that thousands of patients die early from pancreatic cancer and a huge 36 per cent of pancreatic cancer deaths could have been avoided if treated sooner.
Dr Weiqi Liao, data scientist at the University of Oxford, said: "When pancreatic cancer is diagnosed earlier, patients have a higher chance of survival.
"It is possible to diagnose patients when they visit their GP, but both patients and GPs need to be aware of the symptoms associated with pancreatic cancer."
Dr Pippa Corrie, chair of the pancreatic workstream of the NCRI Upper Gastrointestinal Group and Consultant Medical Oncologist at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, UK, said: "Being aware of the early symptoms of pancreatic cancer is crucial if we are to diagnose patients earlier and improve pancreatic cancer survival.
"This research could help GPs and their patients know more about the signs of pancreatic cancer. It's vital that people speak to their GP if they notice these symptoms."
Pancreatic Cancer UK, a dedicated charity that offers specialist support and investment in research, is helping to fund a project where a new detection test is used - and all you'd have to do is blow into a bag at your GP surgery.
The charity said the test would be a world-first for the disease and is backing a research team at Imperial College London - led by Professor George Hanna - which is studying how breath samples taken in a doctor's surgery could detect early symptoms of the cancer.
Helen Whately MP, minister for social care, recently visited the laboratories in London to try the test for herself.
She said: "The earlier we catch cancer, the more likely we are to beat it. That's why breath tests like these could be such an important breakthrough – helping thousands of people get a potentially life-saving early diagnosis.
"Take pancreatic cancer ... a really nasty disease with a lower survival rate than other cancers. It's tough to detect as the symptoms are often similar to other conditions, and that means less than one in four cases are currently caught at an early stage.
"This technology could change that. With nearly 10,000 people affected in the UK it's easy to see how big a lifeline this might be.
"These tests, and similar ones looking to detect oesophageal and colorectal cancer, are just one example of the huge efforts being made by scientists, charities and the government to combat cancer."
The news of The Smiths' bassist Andy Rourke was shared by his former bandmate, Johnny Marr, who announced the news on social media as he paid tribute to the talented musician.
The tweet read: "It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer.
"Andy will be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by those who knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by music fans.
"We request privacy at this sad time."
Andy played on The Smiths' classic back catalogue and on solo songs for Morrissey when the group split up.
He was known for his melodic approach to bass playing.
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