WHEN the Senedd and other public buildings light up this November, it won’t be for firework displays on bonfire night but Purple Lights for Hope - to mark Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

A recent heath study for Pancreatic Cancer UK found that knowledge of pancreatic cancer across the UK is low, but people in Wales are less likely to have heard of it despite nearly double the odds of having a personal connection with it.

This latest research predicts it will overtake breast cancer as the fourth most common cancer killer in our lifetime, so I’m sponsoring an event in the Senedd next week to keep this firmly on the Welsh health agenda.

If government, charities, service providers and health professionals work together, we can give people in Torfaen and across Wales a better knowledge of the disease, its symptoms and contributory factors.

This campaign's aim is to get people understanding and talking about symptoms of pancreatic cancer. A worrying 71 per cent of people across the UK could not name a single symptom without being prompted. Because most pancreatic cancers are diagnosed too late in the day, often via emergency admission, it’s absolutely essential that we make people aware and diagnose early to improve life chances.

Indeed, the study's findings have led to a call for increased GP awareness of signs and symptoms, on top of a public awareness campaign more generally on the cancer dubbed the ‘not so silent killer.’

Welsh Government progress means that more people are surviving even though more are being diagnosed, and I especially welcome their partnership with Macmillan and recent £3m investment to improve initial care from the moment patients come into contact with GP’s. The Statement of Opinion I’ve just raised in the Assembly congratulates charities and their supporters on their hard work and dedication.

However, with the lowest survival rate of all the 21 most common cancers, we have further work to do in raising awareness.

So look out for buildings turning purple and help raise awareness yourselves. Throughout November and beyond I’ll continue to press the Welsh Government to work with charities to improve research, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes for those suffering from Pancreatic Cancer, and heighten awareness for all.

For more information about the campaign, or details on support services, visit Pancreatic Cancer UK’s website: www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk