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Sponsored by The 7th Chamber: Friday 13th today, which is usually associated with horror films and bad luck.

Just today, Pancreatic Cancer Action has released a video, which aims to raise the awareness of pancreatic cancer in the form of a Friday 13th film-trailer based setting.

Whilst horror films these days are shocking yet predictable, ask yourself, could any of us really see pancreatic cancer coming?

The video – which features three classic horror scenes – presents the general public with the frightening reality of people living with a disease that offers a very low survival rate. Every day, 24 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and most will die within 4 to 6 months.

While survival rates of many cancers have improved significantly over 40 years, the shockingly low survival rate of this disease has not changed at all. Ali Stunt, chief executive at Pancreatic Cancer Action and rare survivor of pancreatic cancer, said:

“Due to a chronic lack of awareness, people are often diagnosed too late for surgery, which is currently the only cure. We must ensure more people are diagnosed at an early stage to give them the best possible chance of recovery.”

“We really hope this campaign will help more people to recognise those early signs and encourage them to visit their GP if they have any concerns.” Ali continues.

Here are the facts:

  • Just 4% of patients survive – is has the worst survival rate of all 22 common cancers
  • Pancreatic cancer is the fifth biggest cancer killer – 24 people die each day
  • It receives just 1% of overall cancer research
  • Pancreatic cancer affects men and women equally
  • For those diagnosed in time for surgery their chance of survival increases

Visit http://po.st/Friday13TH for further info.