Overview

• The pilot began in June 2025 across more than 300 GP practices in England, with full operation expected by autumn.
• GPs are reviewing records to flag patients over 60 who have a recent diabetes diagnosis and unexplained sudden weight loss.
• Identified patients are being contacted for urgent blood tests and CT scans to diagnose pancreatic cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage.
• Officials have allocated nearly £2 million to the programme and plan to expand it nationwide if it proves successful.
• Pancreatic cancer accounts for about 10,500 new UK cases annually, has the lowest survival rate, and new-onset diabetes in over-50s is a key red flag.