Individuals at high risk of pancreatic cancer will now have access to urgent tests through the NHS, even before symptoms appear. General practitioners participating in this pilot program will proactively reach out to patients displaying key early warning signs of pancreatic cancer and refer them for immediate tests to rule out the disease.

Those aged over 60 who show symptoms such as recent diabetes diagnosis or sudden weight loss may be contacted for urgent blood tests and CT scans. Even individuals without recorded weight measurements may be identified for testing, as doctors may want to check for new-onset diabetes or unexplained weight loss.

New digital health technology will be utilized to detect pancreatic cancer at an earlier stage and make more effective use of GP records to identify individuals based on body weight and blood glucose levels.

With pancreatic cancer being the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the UK, affecting 10,000 individuals annually, this initiative aims to address the urgent need for early detection. Approximately 10% of cases are hereditary, and more than half of patients succumb to the disease within three months of diagnosis. Notably, half of those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer also have a recent diabetes diagnosis.

Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, emphasized the importance of identifying symptoms early, as patients often remain unaware of the disease until it reaches an advanced stage. He highlighted the NHS's commitment to not only treating patients at an advanced stage but also proactively reaching out to identify individuals who may be at risk without exhibiting any symptoms.

Over 300 GP practices across England will commence using this initiative, which has received nearly £2 million in targeted funding. The remaining practices are expected to implement the pilot program by autumn. The project will assess whether routine searches of patient records can lead to earlier diagnosis and improved outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients.

Following a partnership between NHS England and Pancreatic Cancer UK last year, the Family History Checker tool was launched to identify individuals with an inherited risk of the disease and ensure they receive regular monitoring for early detection.

Health minister Karin Smyth, a cancer survivor herself, welcomed this targeted approach to identifying individuals at risk of one of the deadliest cancers. She highlighted the importance of early detection in improving outcomes and expressed hope that this initiative would provide more families with a fighting chance against this devastating disease.