In a bold move to tackle one of the deadliest forms of cancer, over 300 GP practices across England will begin proactively searching patient records to identify individuals most at risk of pancreatic cancer.
The new NHS England initiative, backed by nearly £2 million in targeted funding, will see GP teams use digital tools to flag patients over 60 who have recently developed diabetes and experienced sudden weight loss — two key early warning signs of pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the UK, with a devastating five-year survival rate of just 7%. More than half of patients die within three months of diagnosis, largely due to late detection.
This pilot programme aims to change that by enabling earlier diagnosis through routine searches of GP records. Even if weight loss is not recorded, GPs will contact patients with new-onset diabetes to check for unintentional weight loss and offer urgent blood tests and CT scans if needed.
The three-year pilot will test whether systematic record reviews can lead to earlier diagnoses and better outcomes. The initiative builds on existing GP knowledge and leverages IT systems to identify at-risk patients before symptoms become severe.
NHS National Clinical Director for Cancer, Professor Peter Johnson, commented:
“Pancreatic cancer is responsible for so many deaths because patients don’t usually notice symptoms until the cancer is at an advanced stage, which is why we need to find new ways to pick it up.
“Through initiatives like this and the upcoming 10 Year Health Plan the NHS is determined to go a step further – not just treat people at an advanced stage but to go out into communities and seek people out who might be unwell without any symptoms so we can provide people with the most effective treatment.
“The NHS is seeing and treating more people with cancer than ever, and early diagnosis is key to ensure patients have the best chance of receiving effective treatment.
“If your GP practice identifies you as at risk of pancreatic cancer, I urge you to come forward for testing as soon as possible.”
This programme complements other NHS efforts, including the Family History Checker tool developed with Pancreatic Cancer UK, which helps identify individuals with inherited risk and refers them for regular monitoring.
In April alone, over 200,000 people were diagnosed or given the all-clear for cancer within 28 days — a record-breaking achievement that reflects the NHS’s commitment to faster, more effective cancer care.
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