Awareness of Pancreatic Cancer Promoted Through New Theatre Production Touring From March 2020

Cumbernauld Community Health Information Hub is backing a new theatre piece aimed at raising awareness of pancreatic cancer which will hit venues across Scotland this March, with tickets now on sale.

Created by Scottish theatre charity TRAM Direct in partnership with Pancreatic Cancer Scotland, ‘Islets of Silence (The C Word)’ intends to encourage dialogue on an often-difficult subject by highlighting the effects of a pancreatic cancer diagnosis on everyday people from patient, to doctor, to loved ones.

The performance follows the story of the Gourleys, a family of four who have their ups and downs like most families but their closeness is never in doubt. All this changes when a member of the family is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The piece highlights that where there is heartbreak, there is also room for hope, tenacity and compassion.

Beginning on Thursday 12 March 2020 at The Stirling Smith Art Gallery Museum, Stirling, the show is scheduled to tour Central Scotland during March, May and September 2020, incorporating a total of 11 performances. A full list of dates and venues for the show can be obtained by clicking here. Tickets are reasonably priced and can be purchased now by visiting the TRAM Direct website at www.tramdirect.org.

TRAM Direct has been involved in producing Theatre in Education projects, re-enactments of historical moments and promenade shows in parks and graveyards for over 15 years. The organisation regularly works alongside youth theatres and gives training opportunities to young people wishing to pursue a career within the performing arts. This has allowed many young people to take their first big step in working with professional actors.

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PANCREATIC CANCER: KEY INFORMATION AND ADVICE FOR CUMBERNAULD CITIZENS

About 9,600 people are diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas in the UK each year. Pancreatic cancer is sometimes called the ‘silent killer’, because it often does not cause symptoms in the early stages and is one of the fastest spreading cancers with only a 4% survival rate in patients after five years of diagnosis.

This is why early diagnosis is even more so critical with this than other types of cancer.

What is Pancreatic Cancer?

The pancreas is an organ of the digestive system. It makes digestive juices and various hormones, including insulin.

Pancreatic cancer is caused by the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells in the pancreas. Around half of all new cases are diagnosed in people aged 75 or over. It’s uncommon in people under 40 years of age.

There can be different types of pancreatic cancer. The information included in this article relates to the most common type, known as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Other, rarer types of pancreatic cancer may be treated differently.

What are the Symptoms?

In the early stages, a tumour in the pancreas does not usually cause any symptoms, which can make it difficult to diagnose.

The first noticeable symptoms of pancreatic cancer are often pain in the upper part of the stomach area that sometimes spreads out into the back (this may come and go at first and is often worse when lying down or eating), unexpected weight loss and signs of jaundice such as yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.

Other possible symptoms include feeling sick and being sick, changes in bowel movements (diarrhoea or constipation), fever and shivering, indigestion and blood clots. The disease may also cause dark yellow or orange urine, pale-coloured poo and itchy skin. Individuals may also develop symptoms of diabetes if they have pancreatic cancer. This is because the tumour can stop the pancreas producing insulin as it normally would.

It’s important to remember that these symptoms can be caused by many different conditions and are not usually the result of cancer. However, it is equally important not to ignore it if you recognise a pattern similar to the above symptoms.

What Should I Do If I Suspect the Above Symptoms?

Make an appointment with your GP as soon as possible if you have any concerns in relation to the above signs or symptoms. Remember, the sooner you get checked out the better things will be, either in terms of putting your mind at rest or getting the right treatment.

A GP will first ask about your general health and carry out a physical examination. They may examine your stomach area for a lump and to see whether your liver is enlarged. They may also check your skin and eyes for signs of jaundice and may request a sample of your urine and a blood test.

If your GP suspects pancreatic cancer, you’ll usually be referred to a specialist consultant for further investigation. This may involve being referred for an ultrasound scan, a CT scan, an MRI scan or a PET scan or PET-CT scan. You may also have a biopsy, where a small sample is taken from a suspected tumour. Next steps and any further tests will be determined based on the results of these investigations.

If pancreatic cancer is diagnosed, treatment will depend on the type and location of the cancer and how far it’s advanced, also known as its stage. Your age, general health and personal preferences will also be taken into consideration.

Cancer of the pancreas can be difficult to treat. If the tumour is large or has spread to other areas in the body, treating the cancer will be more difficult. The three main treatment options for pancreatic cancer are surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

In most cases, the cause of the symptoms will be less serious things other than pancreatic cancer. But sometimes they can be a sign of pancreatic cancer. So it’s important that you don’t try to self-diagnose and to see a GP as soon as possible if you have any concerns.

What are the Causes of Pancreatic Cancer and How Can I Minimise My Risk?

It’s not fully understood what causes pancreatic cancer, but a number of risk factors for developing the condition have been identified.

Risk factors for pancreatic cancer include age (it mainly affects people aged 50 to 80), being very overweight, smoking (around 1 in 3 cases are associated with using cigarettes, cigars or chewing tobacco), and having a history of certain health conditions, such as diabetes, long-term inflammation of the pancreas (chronic pancreatitis) or certain types of stomach ulcers or infections.

As with most cancers, making some lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer. Changes can include stopping smoking, eating a healthy diet, being physically active, keeping to a healthy weight and following recommended alcohol guidelines.

In about 1 in 10 cases, pancreatic cancer is inherited. Certain genes also increase your chances of getting pancreatitis, which in turn increases your risk of developing cancer of the pancreas. If you have two or more close relatives who have had pancreatic cancer or you have an inherited disease, such as Lynch or Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, it is important to ask your doctor about regular check-ups as you may be at increased risk of pancreatic cancer.

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Further detailed advice, information and support in relation to pancreatic cancer can be obtained by visiting Pancreatic Cancer Scotland online at www.pancanscot.org. The organisation can be contacted by telephone on 0141 213 8135 or 07508 317404, or via email at connect@pancanscot.org.

Click here to download Islets of Silence (The C Word) promotional poster