Clive has pledged to be on Purple Alert this November for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month to help transform the lives of people affected by pancreatic cancer in Eltham, Kidbrooke and Plumstead.

At a Pancreatic Cancer UK event in Westminster, Clive heard that 93 per cent of people diagnosed will not survive five years or more, and that there has been very little improvement in survival since the early 1970s. The charity says that unless urgent action is taken now, pancreatic cancer will become the fourth biggest cancer killer by 2026.

Clive said: “Tragically, pancreatic cancer took the lives of 130 people in the NHS Greenwich CCG area during 2010-2014. It is clear that much more work is needed to deliver the kind of change which we must see for people affected, and to achieve the improvements in survival so desperately needed.

“This year, 9,600 people in the UK will receive a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. I want to encourage everyone in Eltham, Kidbrooke and Plumstead to join me in getting on Purple Alert this November, to help change the future for everyone affected by the disease.”

Alex Ford, Chief Executive at Pancreatic Cancer UK said: “We’re extremely grateful Clive Efford MP has shown his support by signing our Purple Alert pledge at our drop-in event and learning more about the numbers of people affected by pancreatic cancer in the NHS Greenwich CCG area.

“Whilst significant improvements have been made in survival for many other cancers, with 50 per cent of all cancer patients now surviving for ten years or more, pancreatic cancer survival has seen little improvement, with just one per cent of patients living for ten years or more. That’s why we are calling on people in Eltham to join us in getting on Purple Alert this November, to help us raise more funds for research into the disease and provide vital support for people affected. People can join our campaign at www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/pcam”

This Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, Pancreatic Cancer UK is calling on people to Move It, Bake It, Quiz It, Game It, Style It or Wear It purple as part of its Purple Alert campaign. The funds raised from these activities will help the charity offer vital support to patients and families, invest in crucial research to help us see the breakthroughs we urgently need, and be a voice for everyone affected by the disease.