What is being done to improve survival rates for people with pancreatic cancer.

Better Cancer Care: An Action Plan, which was published in October 2008, outlines the Scottish Government''s commitments to improving cancer care and outcomes for all those with a cancer diagnosis, including pancreatic cancer. The Scottish Cancer Taskforce has been established to oversee and co-ordinate all of the commitments outlined within Better Cancer Care.
Pancreatic cancer is a relatively rare cancer and we do know that survival rates are poor, however, Scotland is not significantly different to the rest of the UK in this respect. Between 1996 and 2006 the incidence rate has dropped by 17.5% in men and 9.9% in women, which is encouraging.
Whilst no specific action is currently being taken to promote awareness of the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer, the Scottish Government is aware that patient outcomes are likely to be better if the cancer is diagnosed early on. Awareness-raising will feature as an agenda item for the Scottish Cancer Taskforce at a future meeting.
Pancreatic cancer is linked to known risk factors such as body fatness and smoking and the Scottish Government is already implementing a wide-ranging programme of action to encourage healthy lifestyle choices around these issues.