Well done to Dr Phillip Johnston and the NICRN Diabetes team for the opening of UKEDI in BHSCT

February 17, 2025

We would like to send our congratulations to Dr Philip Johnston (Principal Investigator) and the NICRN Diabetes and Endocrinology research team on the opening of UK Early Detection Initiative of Pancreatic Cancer at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

BHSCT are delighted to be the latest research site recruiting to the UK EDI study. The study aims to develop methods for pancreatic cancer detection in individuals with new-onset DM.

At the time of diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, an estimated 65% of patients have diabetes mellitus (DM). Whilst a small proportion of DM in pancreatic cancer patients is long standing (present more than 3 years) the remainder is new-onset-DM. This often goes undiagnosed, and when it is diagnosed, in the majority of cases this comes within one year prior to pancreatic cancer being identified.

In effect, new-onset diabetes can be an early warning sign of the presence of pancreatic cancer, and individuals with new-onset diabetes are a high-risk group for pancreatic cancer.
Approximately 1% of individuals (1 in 100) diagnosed with new onset type 2 DM (T2DM) have undiagnosed pancreatic cancer. This group of individuals actually has pancreatic cancer associated DM, although it is mistakenly diagnosed as T2DM.

Currently individuals with new-onset DM are not screened for pancreatic cancer as there are no reliable tests to distinguish between T2DM and pancreatic cancer associated DM.

Developing methods for pancreatic cancer detection in individuals with new-onset DM will require early-stage, pre-diagnostic samples and corresponding patient data. The study aims to recruit 2500 Individuals from hospitals and GP surgeries who are 50 years old or over and newly diagnosed with DM. This may ultimately enable a screening programme in the future.

If you are interested in participating in this study please contact us at diabendoresearch@belfasttrust.hscni.net