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GP tool aims to reduce time to pancreatic cancer diagnosis
A new digital clinical decision tool is hoped to support ‘faster, more confident’ decision-making and aid early diagnosis.
While signs of pancreatic cancer may be subtle, recognising them in combination can aid earlier investigation or referral, an expert says.
Pancreatic cancer often presents with non-specific symptoms, and due to late diagnosis, has a low survival rate.
In efforts to address this, a new digital clinical decision support tool has been developed to help GPs navigate the ‘complexities’ of the disease, and make timely, evidence-based decisions.
Developed using a validated Australian risk stratification model, the tool incorporates expert recommendations to guide users through key symptoms and risk factors, providing tailored help to determine next steps.
Dr Ashleigh Poh is a research project manager at the Epworth’s Jreissati Pancreatic Centre, where a range of GP resources are developed. She told newsGP they all support GPs in recognising pancreatic cancer earlier and improving outcomes through timely, evidence-informed care.
‘Pancreatic cancer is projected to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death in Australia by 2030,’ she said.
‘However, with only around 4500 new cases diagnosed each year, most general practices may only encounter one or two patients annually. Combined with symptoms that are often vague or non-specific, this can make early detection particularly challenging in a primary care setting.
‘We also recognise the important role of GPs in supporting patients throughout their treatment and recovery. These resources aim to complement that role by equipping GPs with tools that are practical, relevant and easy to integrate into primary care.’
While pancreatic cancer accounts for an estimated 3% of all cancer diagnoses, it is responsible for 7% of cancer-related deaths, making it one of Australia’s deadliest cancers. The five-year survival rate remains low at 13%, due in large part to late diagnosis.
Dr Poh says the cancer often presents with ‘vague, non-specific symptoms’, which can overlap with more common conditions.
Key symptoms to be aware of include unexplained weight loss, persistent upper-abdominal or back pain, jaundice, and new-onset diabetes, particularly in older patients.
‘Other red flags include a history of smoking, chronic pancreatitis, or a family history of pancreatic or related cancers,’ Dr Poh said.
‘While these signs may be subtle, recognising them in combination can help support earlier investigation or referral.’
A free interactive version of the tool is now in development and scheduled for release in June.
The tool has been revised based on focus testing with GPs and will allow users to select from a list of symptoms and risk factors before generating tailored recommendations such as ordering investigations or referring for specialist review.
‘This aims to support faster, more confident decision-making in primary care,’ Dr Poh said.
The Jreissati Pancreatic Centre also has a suite of other resources available through its Educational Resources Hub, and is distributing 3000 educational packs to GP clinics across Australia in 2025, each including:
- a new gastrointestinal tract 3D pop-up – a paper-based model that visually depicts the pancreas and surrounding gastrointestinal structures, including a summary of key symptoms and risk factors, and a QR code linking to the clinical decision support tool
- educational posters – outlining key risk factors and symptoms of pancreatic cancer to support patient education and prompt early conversations in general practice
- information about the APRISE pancreatic screening program for high-risk individuals.
Through the Epworth GP Liaison Unit, the centre also hosts regular educational sessions covering symptoms, investigations, referral pathways, current treatment options, and how GPs can support patients through care and recovery.
GPs can
refer patients directly to the Jreissati Pancreatic Centre for suspected or confirmed pancreatic cancer, monitoring of high-risk lesions, access to treatment or second opinions, and assessment for clinical trial participation.
Dr Poh said the resources developed by the centre are designed to assist GPs through the ‘complexities’ of the cancer.
‘Our tools provide structured, evidence-based guidance to support clinical decision-making, encourage appropriate investigations or referrals, and ultimately help reduce the time to diagnosis,’ she said.
The Jreissati Pancreatic Centre at Epworth also develops continuing professional development activities in partnership with the RACGP, including a
check activity focused on the investigation and management of pancreatic cancer, with a 2026 activity planned addressing the broader investigation of pancreatic disease and screening in primary care.
The annual full-day, RACGP-accredited
GI for GPs Symposium is on 25 October, and features experts in gastroenterology, surgery and oncology providing education for GPs.
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