Researchers develop new way to identify people with new-onset diabetes who are at risk of pancreatic cancer
Oxford researchers have found a more effective way of identifying people with new-onset diabetes who are also at higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer than current recommendations set out by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Early detection of pancreatic cancer is crucial to improving survival rates but there are currently no simple diagnostic tools or screening programmes to help GPs identify the disease. New on-set diabetes can be an early sign of pancreatic cancer but it is common and most people who are diagnosed with diabetes do not go on to develop pancreatic cancer. The new method could help those at high-risk of developing pancreatic cancer be identified more accurately so that they can be monitored.
Current guidance from NICE recommends 2-week-wait abdominal imaging for people aged 60 and over who have recently been diagnosed with new onset type 2 diabetes, and are experiencing weight-loss.
However, the new research, which was funded by our organisation and published in British Journal of Cancer, found that additional factors, such as recent indigestion, heartburn and nausea issues, abdominal pain, platelet count and blood clot history should be taken into account to provide a more nuanced estimation of an individual’s risk.
Our Head of Influencing & Health Improvement, Alfie Bailey-Bearfield commented on the research:
“Early detection of pancreatic cancer is vital to improve survival rates for this devastating disease, as people who have their cancer diagnosed at an early stage are more likely to be able to have potentially life-saving treatment. We desperately need new tools to help GPs identify people who present with vague symptoms that are likely to be pancreatic cancer. In some people, new onset diabetes can be an early sign of pancreatic cancer, particularly when accompanied by other symptoms such as weight loss.
"Over the next year, we will be working with national NHS teams as well as clinicians and researchers across the UK to develop and pilot new programmes to identify people with new onset diabetes that have a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer.”
“However, diabetes is common, and most people with diabetes will not develop pancreatic cancer. This new predictive tool offers a way to identify people with a new diagnosis of diabetes who are at higher risk of pancreatic cancer. Over the next year, we will be working with national NHS teams as well as clinicians and researchers across the UK to develop and pilot new programmes to identify people with new onset diabetes that have a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer.”