About 7 000 people are diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas each year in the UK.  Cancer of the pancreas most often affects people inmiddle and old age.  The incidence in men and women is about the same.

The symptoms of pancreatic cancer can be quite vague, but early symptoms can include:

• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• General discomfort or pain around the stomach area
• Back pain

Symptoms can vary depending on where the cancer is in your pancreas - whether the tumour is in the head, body or tail of the pancreas.