National charity Pancreatic Cancer Action and the Royal College of GPs have joined forces to develop the world’s first e-learning tool to help GPs diagnose pancreatic cancer earlier.
Pancreatic cancer is Britain’s fifth deadliest cancer with a five year survival rate of only 3% – among the worst in Europe – and a figure which has not changed for over 40 years. Most patients have a life expectancy of just four to six months following diagnosis. In the absence of a longterm cure, earlier diagnosis is currently the only way forward to provide patients with the potential for curative surgery. The e-learning programme uses a case study format with video footage – enabling GPs to assess and improve their knowledge. Dr Ishani Patel, the RCGP e-learning fellow and associate at the North West London Cancer Network, said: “Very importantly this online learning course looks at both atypical presentations of the disease as well as the more classic symptoms of the illness. This will help GPs to ‘think cancer’ sooner and help primary care to diagnose pancreatic cancers earlier and improve survival.”
