Dr Hilary Jones announced as Patron of Pancreatic Cancer Action

Pancreatic Cancer Action is delighted to announce that Breakfast TV's health editor, Dr Hilary Jones, has become a Patron for the charity. Having supported the charity in the media, and having met chief executive Ali Stunt on a number of occasions, Dr Hilary Jones highly values the work of the charity.

Hilary aims to support Pancreatic Cancer Action's work with their pancreatic cancer medical educational tools and help raise awareness of the disease among the public. He said: “I am passionate about supporting Pancreatic Cancer Action with their vital work as I believe this disease to have one of the most lethal diagnoses of all common cancers.

“It's got a worse outlook than lung, bowel and breast cancer, and more awareness and education is desperately needed. The charity do a lot of work with GPs and in my own personal experience, educating primary care sector is one of the most important factors in improving early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.”

In September 2015, Dr Hilary supported Pancreatic Cancer Action's campaign to reverse the decision by the NHS to remove a life-prolonging drug for the disease from the Cancer Drugs Fund. At the time, he said: “It's the greatest advance in treating this disease in many, many years and crazily it's available to patients elsewhere in the UK.”

The charity was established by Ali Stunt in 2010 who is a rare survivor of pancreatic cancer. Ali was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2007 aged just 41. Having never heard of the disease before her own diagnosis, and realising how lucky she was to be one of only 4% who survive, she set up the charity to improve outcomes for future pancreatic cancer patients.

Chief executive Ali Stunt said: “We are thrilled that Dr Hilary recognises the importance of our work and we look forward to his valuable support. Having first-hand experience in primary care, Dr Hilary will be able to provide a really insightful perspective into this aspect of the charity's work.

"Every day we hear from people who have lost someone to this disease and it highlights how vital our work is. Dr Hilary will help us reach more people, leading to more cases of early diagnosis which will ultimately save lives."

Pancreatic Cancer is the UK's fifth biggest cancer killer and 24 people die a day from the disease. The 5 year survival rate is just 4%, a figure which has barely changed in over 40 years. Most pancreatic cancer patients are diagnosed too late. Pancreatic Cancer Action is determined to get more patients diagnosed early and in time for life-saving surgery.

For further information on pancreatic cancer visit http://pancreaticcanceraction.org