Brigg Matters Issue 53 Winter 2018

The Grounds Behind the Jump
By Ken Harrison
Gracious me! What's our young 'Brigg Matters' editor,
Becky Reynolds, doing plunging earthwards at sonic
speed? (see Front Cover) It's certainly not a pre-requisite
of taking on the role of editor that one is thereafter
expected to launch oneself from the adrenalineproducing
altitude of 1 5 thousand feet, free-fall for one
minute and scream like mad!
Veritably, our intrepid Becky was tandem
parachuting at Skydive Hibaldstow to promote the
Brigg-based Pancreatic Cancer Action (PCA) group.
Driven by Andrew 'Sass' Markham, Zoe Hall, Lesley
Whitehand and supported by Brigg Town Mayor, Cllr
Donald Campbell,
the objective of
PCA is raise
awareness and
save lives through
early diagnosis.
The pancreas is
a deep-seated, vital
organ of the
digestive system
and is located
behind the
stomach. Amongst
other functions, it
secretes enzymes
to break down
proteins and
important
hormones, such as
insulin to control
blood-sugar levels.
The Pancreatic Cancer Purple
Window ofthe Angel in
November.
According to
our PCA group,
pancreatic cancer is
often diagnosed
during examination
for another medical problem and, therefore, is often
described as, 'the silent killer'. The aims of PCA is to
improve survival rates by focussing on early diagnosis.
Its deep-seated location tends to hide the development
of a tumour and pancreatic cancer is currently the fifth
biggest killer with only 5 percent surviving after
diagnosis - the lowest survival rate of the 22 most
common cancers.
However, and an important, however, is that effective
treatment and survival rates increase enormously with
early diagnosis. PCA highlight the possible 7 important
signs of pancreatic cancer in its early stages as;
• Jaundice - yellowing of skin and whites of eyes and/or
very itchy skin
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Indigestion that does not respond to medication.
• Abdominal pain, or discomfort - new and significant.
• Mid-back pain - in the area between the shoulder
blades and/or where a bra strap would be.
• Pale and smelly stools that don't flush easily.
Other symptoms could include: new onset diabetes not
associated with weight gain, pain on eating, fatigue and
unexplained tiredness, moodiness.
If you persistently experience one or more of these
Lesley Whitehand ofthe PCA group and Becky
Reynolds before the jump.
symptoms, which are not normal to you, DO NOT
IGNORE THEM. It is unlikely your symptoms are caused
by a serious health issue, but you are not wasting your
time by getting such symptoms checked.
November has been Pancreatic Cancer Awareness
Month and the local PCA team have used the time to
raise awareness by illuminating the balcony window of
the Angel, Pancreatic Purple, holding a quiz in St John's
church hall, manning its regular PCA Awareness stall at
the Farmers' Market and Sass Markham can regularly be
seen fund-raising and giving out leaflets in local pubs.
In addition, Brigg Town Mayor, Cllr Donald Campbell
has chosen PCA as one of his sponsored charities during
his term of office.
As Lesley Whitehand said, 'If our efforts save the life
of just one person, then our efforts are worth it.'
Brigg Matters 27