Thank you for contacting me about support for people affected by pancreatic cancer.
The UK ranks 15th out of 16 European countries for five-year pancreatic cancer survival, so it is clear that more must be done to reduce the survival gap between pancreatic cancer and other cancers.
For pancreatic cancer in particular, early detection, diagnosis and treatment is essential to improving outcomes. The NHS Long Term Plan set an ambition to improve outcomes so that 75 per cent of all cancers can be diagnosed at stage 1 and 2 by 2028 when it is easier to treat. Community Diagnostic Centres were created with £2.3 billion of investment, and NHS England has been working to improve general practice access to diagnostic tests.
I also welcome that NHS England is taking steps to deliver the Optimum Care Pathway led by Pancreatic Cancer UK and a new audit that will identify and promote best practice so that the quality of pancreatic cancer services can be improved for patients across the country.
The new Government has made a number of pledges to reduce waiting times and improve access to diagnostic scanners. I will be holding Ministers to account for delivering these pledges, and driving earlier diagnosis and treatment for those living with pancreatic cancer.
I fully understand the concerns raised by Pancreatic Cancer UK about shortages of Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy (PERT), which is an important and valuable treatment that can help people living with pancreatic cancer. The Government must strength its response to address and resolve the shortages and the impact they are having on people with pancreatic cancer, and I call on Ministers to issue a formal response to Pancreatic Cancer UK's plan to address PERT shortages.
It is important that NHS organisations across the UK provide healthcare professional with up-to-date information about supply issues, and what patients should do if they are struggling to access PERT.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.