A simple urine test that could detect pancreatic cancer much
earlier than at present has been developed by scientists.
They found a protein "signature" only present in
people with the disease.
Pancreatic cancer is often very advanced by the time it is
diagnosed - and only 3% of patients are alive five years after diagnosis.
Cancer charities welcomed the study, published in Clinical
Cancer Research, saying a test was "much needed".
Just under 9,000 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
in the UK every year. It has the lowest five-year survival rate of any common
cancer and one that has barely improved in 40 years.
More than 80% of people with the disease are diagnosed when
it has already spread, so they are not eligible for surgery to remove the
tumour - currently the only potential cure.
Those at higher risk include people with a family history of
the cancer, heavy smokers, obese people and people over 50 who are newly
diagnosed with diabetes. (credit:bbc)
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