A WIDOW whose husband died from cancer wants to raise awareness of symptoms to improve survival chances.

Sandra Francis, 68, was first told her husband had diabetes when they visited his GP, with blood sugar levels so high the doctor thought the machine was broken.

Pete, who was 70 when he died, suffered from symptoms including fatigue, pale stools as well as indigestion for some time before a private scan revealed it was pancreatic cancer.

Sandra, from Evesham, said: “We had no idea where the pancreas was or had hardly heard of pancreatic cancer -we were totally unaware of the symptoms.

“I’m guessing a lot of people will have had no idea either.

“I just wish we had known the symptoms earlier.

“Earlier diagnosis is one of the only ways to survive this dreadful and evil cancer.”

“I miss him so much and continue to do all I can to raise awareness and funds for Pancreatic Cancer Action.”

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The pancreas is an essential organ responsible for producing enzymes that help break down your food and hormones which control your blood sugar levels.

Pancreatic cancer occurs when a tumour forms in the pancreas and currently, there is no early detection (screening) test for the disease.

Pancreatic Cancer Action, a UK charity who raise awareness of survival rates through early diagnosis say around 78 per cent of residents in the West Midlands cannot name one symptom of pancreatic cancer, and a further 70 per cent of people could not name a single factor that increases the chances of getting the disease.

Ali Stunt, founder and CEO of Pancreatic Cancer Action, said: “Knowing the symptoms of pancreatic cancer is so important because there is no screening test available to detect the disease so being able to present the symptoms to your doctor at an early stage is vital.

“Early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is important because if it can be diagnosed and treated at an early stage, before the tumour has spread or grown too large, then survival rates for patients are significantly better.”