Pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates of all major cancers.

With symptoms often vague, mild, missed, or ignored, 80 to 95 per cent of those diagnosed are in stage 3 or 4, too late for curative surgery.

More than 700 New Zealanders are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and more than 600 lose their lives to it each year.

This November, World Pancreatic Cancer Month, the Gut Cancer Foundation is on a mission to educate and raise awareness for early diagnosis, improve support for patients and their whānau, and drive research funding to change outcomes of the disease.

GCF is calling on all New Zealanders to participate in a range of initiatives throughout the month.

The need to come together to improve diagnosis outcomes is growing more urgent as Ministry of Health data shows a 40 per cent increase in rates of pancreatic cancer in the two decades to 2017.

Currently there is no screening programme for pancreatic cancer, and incidence is higher among men than women in New Zealand.

Nyree Smith, a driving force on the GCF committee who is spurred on by her own journey with pancreatic cancer, is on a mission to share the message of awareness alongside other advocates and survivors.

'Listen to your body. If you have persistent aches and stomach issues, it's vital you get yourself checked. Don't ignore the signs. That's one thing I hope others can take away from my journey.”

Data published by the Ministry of Health further showed that in 2019, pancreatic cancer rates were 80 per cent higher among Māori than non-Māori. So, how can Kiwis help?

Signing up to the Big Purple Dinner is one way to show support during November.

A community fundraising initiative run by GCF, people are encouraged to come together and use their gathering to foster advocacy and raise vital funds for research.

Hosts can choose how to set the scene – dress all-purple, cook purple food, have purple table decorations or a purple picnic, or anything else that says ‘purple'.

Fundraisers are given support with ideas, recipes, and resources.

People can sign up to host their own purple dinner and buy tickets for the PanCan Gala – it all helps GCF combat the rising occurrence and toll of pancreatic cancer.

New Zealanders should also look out for landmarks lit purple, marking World Pancreatic Cancer Day on November 17.

These serve as a reminder of the cause across the country and encourage important conversations.

Last year saw 50 landmarks and buildings take part, and this year new venues including Eden Park and Silo Park in Auckland are on board.

Common symptoms of pancreatic cancer include:

Mid-back pain

Indigestion

Unexplained weight loss

Loss of appetite

Stomach pain

New-onset diabetes

Jaundice (yellowish eyes or skin)

Changes in stool

Visit www.gutcancer.org.nz for more information