Council headquarters light up purple for pancreatic cancer

November 19, 2020

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council agreed to light Lagan Valley Island up purple this evening to mark World Pancreatic Cancer Day.

Alderman Paul Porter, Corporate Services Committee Chairman, speaking about this illumination requested by Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: “Tonight we have lit our civic headquarters purple to raise awareness of one of the world’s deadliest cancers – pancreatic cancer.  This disease has a five year survival rate in the single digits, therefore it is very important we play our part in raising awareness of this condition and its symptoms.

“The pancreas helps us to digest food and makes hormones such as insulin.  The diagnosis of pancreatic cancer can be difficult. Some people may not have any symptoms or they might be hard to spot as the symptoms can be caused by other illnesses such as irritable bowel syndrome or pancreatitis.  So please take the time to learn about the symptoms and risks of pancreatic cancer.”

Alderman Stephen Martin, Vice-Chair of the council’s Corporate Services Committee added: “Symptoms of pancreatic cancer include: jaundice, loss of appetite or unintentional weight loss, feeling tired or having no energy and a high temperature or feeling hot or shivery.  Your digestion can also be affected so you may feel or be sick, have indigestion and can experience a pain at the top of your stomach and back, which is worse when eating or lying down.  If you are experiencing one or more symptoms of pancreatic cancer, don’t ignore them. Speak to your GP today.”

#ItsAboutTime you know the symptoms of pancreatic cancer. Go to https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pancreatic-cancer/ for more information.

#WPCD #EarlyDetection #PancreaticCancer #WorldPancreaticCancerDay 

#PancreaticCancerAwareness #CancerResearch