Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month 2025
Who organises this event?
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month was originally established in the United States by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. The founders had personal experience with relatives who were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and noticed that there was a lack of public awareness about it. Pancreatic Cancer UK organises the campaign in the UK, alongside Pancreatic Cancer Action.
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day 2025
This year, Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day takes place on 20 November. This dedicated day within Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month allows for even more public attention to the cause. On this day, landmarks and homes are lit up in purple as part of the ‘Purple Lights for pancreatic cancer’ campaign. You can learn more about this annual initiative and how to take part here.
Pancreatic cancer in the UK
On average, there are 30 new cases of pancreatic cancer in the UK every day. This means around 10,800 new cases annually. Overall, pancreatic cancer is the 10th most common cancer in the UK and it most frequently occurs in those aged between 85 to 89.
The total number of deaths caused by pancreatic cancer is about 10,100 andonly around 4.3% of people who have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the UK survive for 10 years or more. Unfortunately, people with pancreatic cancer in the UK are not living much longer today than they did 50 years ago.
These figures highlight the need for Pancreatic Awareness Month, the importance for people to learn about it, and the need for an increase in research to find a cure. You can discover more facts and figures about pancreatic cancer in the UK here.
Signs and symptoms
Knowing the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer is vital in increasing your awareness to help you detect the disease early on.
The signs and symptoms include:
- feeling tired,
- not feeling hungry,
- having problems with digestion,
- nausea and vomiting,
- your skin and eyes turning yellow,
- having stomach or back pain,
- having a new diagnosis of diabetes
- losing weight without trying to
You can read more about the symptoms and how to get help here.
What you can do
There are a series of free events taking place. For example, on Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day on 20 November, you could visit St Pancras International station and see thevolunteers who will be performing and collecting funds. Find out more here.
You can also take part in Challenge 24 in November. The number 24 symbolises the 24 people who die every day from pancreatic cancer in the UK. For more information on how to register, click here.
