Paignton man taking part in Brighton Marathon to raise awareness of deadly disease

Matthew Dalton, 46, from Paignton, is taking on the Brighton Marathon to raise much needed awareness of pancreatic cancer after he lost his mum, Judy, to the disease.

Matt took up running as something positive to focus on since his mum passed away. He is also running ten half marathons and several 10 Ks this year!

Matt says “I lost my mother in 2016. Mum got diagnosed in August and died in September, just 34 days later from pancreatic cancer. So, I’ve taken up running half marathons to raise awareness and funds. Thank you to those who have supported me.”

Judy was living in Spain at the time of her diagnosis. Matt and his family flew out to see his mum. He recounts that time with his mum.

“My dad did not expect her to die so soon, it was horrible seeing the pain she was in.

Mum didn’t want to go to hospital again, so we got the local doctor out, who was amazing. The care they had for her at home was amazing.

Sadly, my mum died two days later. We were all devastated but also grateful that she was no longer suffering.”

Pancreatic cancer is the UK’s 5th biggest cancer killer. The survival rate is just 5% which is the lowest of any cancer.

Pancreatic Cancer Action is committed to working towards earlier diagnosis of the disease so that surgery, currently the only cure, is made available to the sufferer. The charity fund research into early diagnosis, provide medical education programmes, and launch awareness campaigns.

Ali Stunt, Founder of Pancreatic Cancer Action, said: “We are delighted that Matthew is taking on the Brighton Marathon to raise awareness and funds for the disease. It’s inspirational to hear stories like Matthew, where people respond so positively.”

“We rely solely on donations from the public and thanks to people like Matthew that we can continue our vital work. Please back him in his fundraising efforts so that we can continue research into early diagnosis and raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.”

You can sponsor Matthew here:

www.panact.org/MatthewDalton

About Pancreatic Cancer Action

Pancreatic Cancer Action is a charity based in the UK whose mission is to change pancreatic cancer survival number and focus on improving early detection statistics. The charity's approach is to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer to the public, the medical community and Government, provide education and training on pancreatic cancer to medical professionals and fund research specifically into improving early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Founded by Ali Stunt, who is herself a rare survivor of the disease. Pancreatic Cancer Action has the support of many leading clinicians and researchers in the pancreatic cancer arena along with others whose lives have been touched by pancreatic cancer in some way. 

Further information about pancreatic cancer

Notes to Editors

• Each year, almost 10,000 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the UK.
• Every day, 24 people will die of pancreatic cancer - that's more than the number who will die in road traffic accidents.
• Only 5% of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer will survive for more than five years - this is because the because the cancer is very advanced when diagnosed. Unlike other cancers, this figure has not changed significantly in over 40 years. 
• If patients are diagnosed at an early stage - it is possible for 30% (3 in 10) to still be alive five years after diagnosis.
• This is no early detection test for pancreatic cancer.
• The UK has one of the lowest survival rates for pancreatic cancer in the world.
• Half of patients are diagnosed after admission to A & E. 

References for above: https://pancreaticcanceraction.org/about-pancreatic-cancer/medical-professionals/stats-facts/facts-and-statistics/

Pancreatic cancer symptoms include

These six key symptoms to know:

Ref: www.panact.org/symptoms