PLANETS started in 2011 with a focus on pancreatic, liver and neuroendocrine tumour patients, initially with small aims to provide support groups and purchase additional equipment for the service.

It was quickly realized that there was a greater need for patient support and also the introduction of novel treatments. As we became more successful, other clinicians from different tumor specialties were keen to join us so that their patients could access the same benefits. We also decided that we should start to fund research into some of the most important evolving areas for cancer such as immunotherapy and genetics. So our initial small target soon was replaced by a much larger target.

PLANETS have funded researchers who are using data from the UK Biobank, a database of genetic and health information from half a million participants nationwide, looking for small variations in genes previously linked to pancreatic cancer. They then combined this genetic data with information on a person’s symptoms, lifestyle and medical history and used a computer model to establish what factors were most likely to increase a person’s risk of developing the cancer. The researchers say the findings could pave the way for a secondary screening programme for patients with new-onset diabetes who may be at greater risk of developing pancreatic cancer.