AQW 29376/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 26/06/2025
Answered On Date: 08/07/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health whether he has considered introducing awareness campaigns for GPs to assist identifying the early warning signs of pancreatic cancer.

Answer:

As you may know, Northern Ireland was the first part of the UK to agree to implement the Optimal Care Pathway for pancreatic cancer developed by Pancreatic Cancer UK (PCUK). My officials and colleagues in Health and Social Care (HSC) are currently working alongside PCUK to take this forward. My officials are also developing policy principles to support the expansion of the Rapid Diagnosis Centre model to a pancreatic cancer diagnostic pathway.

This work will involve a review of primary care referral guidelines for pancreatic cancer. In taking this forward, where appropriate the Northern Ireland Cancer Network (NICAN) will engage with key stakeholders, including GPs; provide written updates and guidance to GP practices; and organise education sessions to inform GPs about new referral pathways and highlight symptoms that warrant a red flag referral for suspected cancer.