For months, Tirah Ciampa struggled with excruciating stomach pains she dismissed as cramps — until she discovered she was actually suffering from pancreatic cancer.
Ciampa, from Hobart, started penning “goodbye letters” to her nearest and dearest earlier this year after she found out she had a huge tumour measuring 15cm growing from inside her pancreas.
Now, the cancer that threatened to take Ciampa’s life has been declared a common cancer for the first time.
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New data reveals record numbers of Australians will succumb to pancreatic cancer, with sufferers calling for government action.
Pancreatic cancer has a survival rate of 12.5 per cent, with 4500 people expected to be diagnosed in 2023.
It is expected that 3669, or 80 per cent, will not survive past 12 months.
By 2030, pancreatic cancer will become Australia’s second-highest cancer killer.
The symptoms of the cancer can be vague, such as stomach or upper back pains and nausea — leading many to only detect it when it is too late.
Other symptoms include nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss and jaundice.
PanKind deputy chairman Professor Chris Baggoley told 7NEWS the declaration that pancreatic cancer is a common one is a “disturbing” revelation.
“It’s come about because the instances of pancreatic cancer has doubled in the last 20 years,” he said.
Baggoley, Australia’s former chief medical officer, also went through his own pancreatic cancer battle.
His life was saved due to early detection.
Ciampa also credits early detection for saving her life.
The 27-year-old had prepared herself for the worst, but two months after surgery she was given the all clear.
“I had (written) my goodbye letters and I stayed strong throughout the whole process for the people closest to me,” she said.
“If this tumour was left for another year or two, I would have died.”
Ciampa urges everyone to “listen to your body”.
“Especially women who put every weird feeling down to their menstrual cycle or hormones,” she said.
“Your body is a temple, it’s all we have to live in this beautiful world.
“Don’t take it for granted.”
-With Jackie Quist
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