OVER 15 GPs and several nursing staff across the Western Trust area attended a seminar designed to promote better awareness of the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer.

The seminar had been organised earlier this year, but had to be cancelled due to poor uptake from GPs in this area.

Held in the Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh, it was organised by Pancreatic Cancer Action (PCA), in association with Cancer Focus and with the help of mum of two, Kerry Irvine, whose Fermanagh husband, Noel, lost his battle with pancreatic cancer in 2011.

Four main speakers led the event including Fermanagh-born Anna Gavin, the director of Northern Ireland Cancer Research.

She delivered the latest statistics and told those present that oesophageal and stomach cancers had five year survival rates at 17 or 18 per cent while pancreatic cancer still only had 5 per cent.

Ali Stunt, the chief executive and founder PCA, who is also an eight-year survivor of pancreatic cancer, talked about the illness from a patient prospective as well as explaining the work of her charity.

Mark Taylor, consultant surgeon general and HPB told the seminar he had asked his GP wife what she wanted to know about pancreatic cancer. He used her feedback to deliver his talk during the seminar and discussed the surgical options currently available to him.

Martin Eatock, Oncologist at Belfast City Hospital spoke about the different chemotheraphy treatments.

Western Trust chief executive, Elaine Way was unable to attend the event.

Alan McKinney attended on her behalf.

In the run up to the event on September 23, the Trust had promoted the seminar through social media.

The seminar in Omagh is first of a number which will now be rolled out across the remaining Health Trusts in Northern Ireland.

Speaking after the event, Kerry said the feedback had been entirely positive.

“All speakers were passionate about the topic, which came through in their presentations,” she said, “The next Trust I am hoping to bring a seminar to is South Eastern.

“I would like to personally thank everyone who was involved for making the seminar possible and my heartfelt thanks go to all the professionals who took time out of their extremely busy schedules to either present or listen. Together we can do something and make a difference.”