THE Gloucestershire wife of a rare pancreatic cancer survivor is working to increase awareness of the disease and show there is hope for early diagnosis.

Richard Brooke was diagnosed last year with the disease, which is the fifth most common cause of cancer death in the UK.

However, thanks to quick action from medics, he has survived, with his scans showing no cause for concern for a year.

Wife Alexandra is working with the charity Pancreatic Cancer Action to boost awareness of pancreatic cancer and demonstrate that hope exists with early diagnosis.

The organisation is reportedly the only UK charity that specifically focuses on improving pancreatic cancer survival rates through diagnosis of this kind.

“Looking back, I realised how vital early diagnosis and quick action were,” Alexandra said.

“Richard’s story could have ended so differently.”

Richard was initially prescribed proton pump inhibitors after having suffered with indigestion and dark urine for a few weeks and then steadily lost weight.

These symptoms persisted into the Christmas period, and Alexandra urged him to go back to his GP.

On December 28, 2022, Richard mentioned jaundice during a phone consultation.

His GP took the matter seriously, inviting him for an in-person examination within an hour.

“At first, I thought maybe he was just tired, but Richard was convinced something was wrong,” Alexandra said.

“Thankfully, he was right to push for a proper diagnosis.”

Richard was placed on the NHS two-week cancer pathway.

A CT scan was scheduled, and although he was told it might take up to two weeks to receive the results, Richard was called into the hospital just two days later.

“I kept trying to tell myself that it still might be ok, but deep down I knew this urgency could only mean that things were serious,” Alexandra said.

Around 10,500 people diagnosed are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year.

Early diagnosis is crucial for improving survival rates: 26 people a day die from the disease.

Sadly, on January 19, 2023, Richard was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

However, his results had already been sent to specialists at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, where the surgical team immediately began considering options.

“When I thought of cancer, I imagined chemotherapy and radiotherapy,” Alexandra noted.

“But the doctors said surgery was the best option.”

Just under three weeks later, Richard underwent surgery to remove a tumour.

Though the surgery was successful, the road to recovery was challenging.

Richard faced dietary restrictions, having to take an enzyme supplement and adjust his eating habits to regain lost weight.

Despite the hardships, he remained resilient and was back at work within two weeks on reduced hours.

By May, Richard had nearly returned to his normal self, but doctors recommended mop-up chemotherapy to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.

Richard underwent six rounds of chemotherapy, enduring adverse reactions that led to some delays.

However, since September 2023, his scans have been clear and have shown no cause for worry.

“The efficiency and compassion of the medical staff, the support of friends and family and our unwavering determination to stay positive pulled us through,” Alexandra said of Richard’s diagnosis.

“We have emerged stronger, with a deeper appreciation for life and each other.

“The support from the medical team was incredible.

“The surgeon in Birmingham who worked to ensure the two-week deadlines for pancreatic cancer patients were met played a pivotal role in Richard’s swift treatment.”

Pancreatic Cancer Action is dedicated to raising awareness of pancreatic cancer and funding research into early diagnosis and treatment.

To find out more about the charity’s work, visit panact.org