Researchers at the University of Liverpool seek the views of people aged 50 years and over, who have been diagnosed with diabetes in the past 12 months, on the acceptability of a potential diagnostic test that identifies whether you would benefit from screening for pancreatic cancer.
In a small subset of individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (around 1%), the diagnosis of diabetes is believed to be an early sign of pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is a rare, but aggressive cancer that is almost always diagnosed late. Early in its development it causes a form of diabetes called type 3c, although this is frequently misdiagnosed as type 2 diabetes and the chance to diagnose pancreatic cancer early is missed. Earlier detection of pancreatic cancer would allow for earlier treatments and better outcomes for patients.
There is no routine test for type 3c diabetes. As part of a Cancer Research UK-funded programme of research, we are trying to develop a blood test to distinguish type 3c from type 2 diabetes. Such a test would allow people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes to be tested to see whether their diabetes is actually type 3c. If yes, then they would be offered screening for pancreatic cancer.
Taking part involves completing a 15-minute online questionnaire, with the opportunity (optional) to discuss your answers in more depth with a researcher via an online interview.
For more information please contact: Martyn Stott via martyn.stott@Liverpool.ac.uk or access the research here.
