This November, the Gut Cancer Foundation is calling on New Zealanders to come together for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. By raising awareness of the symptoms and risks, sharing vital information and going purple, we can help improve outcomes and support Kiwis affected by this devastating cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is one of New Zealand's deadliest cancers, with the lowest five-year survival rate of any major cancer. Its symptoms can be difficult to recognise and are often mistaken for other conditions, meaning many people are diagnosed when the disease is already advanced.
The statistics highlight why raising awareness to improve outcomes is so important:
700+ New Zealanders are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer every year.
12% is the five-year survival rate for people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Around 70% of patients are diagnosed in an emergency setting, significantly affecting their treatment options and outcomes.
This Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month is one of our biggest yet, and there are a number of ways you can get involved. Whether you learn the symptoms, share our resources, support our Purple for Pancreatic campaign or join us on World Pancreatic Cancer Day, every action makes a difference.
Know the Symptoms and Risks
Early detection can make a significant difference to pancreatic cancer outcomes. Unfortunately, symptoms can be difficult to recognise, particularly in the early stages, and are often mistaken for more common, less serious conditions.
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include:
Excessive tiredness or weakness
Unexplained weight loss
Loss of appetite
Abdominal pain that radiates to the mid-back
Indigestion
New-onset diabetes
Changes in stool or bowel habits
Dark urine
Risk factors for pancreatic cancer include:
Alongside lifestyle factors such as smoking and heavy alcohol consumption, other factors that may increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer include:
A history of diabetes
Pancreatitis, including a personal or family history
Inherited syndromes such as Lynch Syndrome
Certain inherited genetic mutations
Having one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have pancreatic cancer. However, if you notice new, unexplained or persistent symptoms, or believe you may be at increased risk, it's important to speak with your GP.
Knowing the signs and taking action could help save lives.
Purple for Pancreatic – Fundraise for Pancreatic Cancer Support
Renee - Purple for Pancreatic 2026 fundraiser
This November, we're inviting Kiwis across Aotearoa to Go Purple for Pancreatic and help raise vital funds for our dedicated Patient Support Service.
A pancreatic cancer diagnosis can bring overwhelming uncertainty, questions and challenges, not only for patients but also for their families and whānau. Access to trusted information, practical guidance and compassionate support can make a meaningful difference.
Funds raised through our Purple for Pancreatic campaign will help sustain our dedicated Support Service for people affected by pancreatic cancer and other cancers of the upper digestive system. This includes:
Providing vital guidance and care for patients and their families navigating a gut cancer diagnosis.
Connecting Kiwis with trusted information and resources to help them feel informed and supported throughout their journey.
Strengthening support networks nationwide, helping people access the guidance and services they need, when they need them most.
There are so many ways to get involved! Take on a purple-themed challenge, organise a workplace fundraiser, host an event with friends and whānau, or make a donation. Whatever you choose, your support will make a difference.
👉 Sign up to fundraise or make a donation at Purple for Pancreatic
Follow our campaign on social media at @gutcancerfoundation and share your purple activities using #PurpleForPancreatic.
Dedicated Support for People Affected by Pancreatic Cancer
At Gut Cancer Foundation, we know that support is needed at every stage of the cancer journey.
Our FREE, dedicated, nurse-led Patient Support Service is available nationwide for people affected by pancreatic cancer and other upper gastrointestinal cancers, including stomach, oesophageal, liver and biliary cancers. Our service can assist with understanding a diagnosis, managing symptoms and treatment side effects, navigating the health system, accessing trusted resources and connecting with additional support.
👉 Find out more about our FREE Patient Support Service or refer yourself or whānau
Get Your FREE Pancreatic Cancer My Care KIT
We also offer a FREE My Care KIT, developed specifically to support people navigating pancreatic cancer.
Created with evidence-based information from pancreatic cancer experts, the KIT provides practical information and tools to help patients and whānau:
Understand their diagnosis and treatment options
Prepare for appointments and conversations with their healthcare team
Learn about managing symptoms, side effects and nutrition
Navigate the different stages of living with pancreatic cancer
The Pancreatic Cancer My Care KIT is available as a digital download or printed copy, with FREE shipping throughout New Zealand.
Real stories, real impact
This Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, we're honoured to share the experiences of New Zealanders whose lives have been affected by pancreatic cancer. Their stories are powerful reminders of why greater awareness, earlier detection and access to support matter so much.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Renee, Rochelle and Roselyn for generously sharing their personal experiences as part of our Purple for Pancreatic campaign. By speaking openly about their journeys, they are helping to raise awareness and offer insight and connection to others facing a similar diagnosis.
We are also deeply grateful to Sandie, who shares the story of her husband Reg to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer and encouraging others to listen to their bodies, ask questions and advocate for their health.
Your voices are helping to make a difference for others across Aotearoa.
World Pancreatic Cancer Day - Thursday 19 November 2026
On Thursday 19 November, we're joining organisations and communities around the world to mark World Pancreatic Cancer Day.
Gut Cancer Foundation is proud to be Aotearoa New Zealand's representative on the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition, a global alliance working to improve outcomes for people affected by pancreatic cancer.
This year, we're supporting the Coalition's campaign to increase awareness of the symptoms and risk factors of pancreatic cancer, encourage earlier diagnosis and inspire action to save lives.
You can get involved by:
Learning the symptoms and risks of pancreatic cancer and sharing them with friends and whānau.
Wearing purple or organising a purple-themed activity on Thursday 19 November.
Sharing our pancreatic cancer awareness resources on social media, in your workplace or within your community.
Following and sharing our posts at @gutcancerfoundation using #PurpleForPancreatic and #WPCD.
Light it Purple
We are also thrilled to bring back our #LightitPurple campaign this World Pancreatic Day. On 19 November, we're inviting landmarks and buildings across Aotearoa to illuminate their spaces in purple to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer and show support for the Kiwis and whānau affected by this disease.
Every landmark that lights up purple helps bring pancreatic cancer into the spotlight and sends a visible message of solidarity to patients and their families: you are not alone.
Keep an eye on our social media channels throughout November to see participating landmarks and share your photos using #LightitPurpleNZ and #WPCD.
Would your organisation or local landmark like to take part in Light it Purple? We'd love to hear from you! Please contact maureen@gutcancer.org.nz for more information.
#WhereIsMyPancreas Roadshow – Taking Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Across Aotearoa
A giant handmade pancreas, a campervan and a team of passionate researchers are hitting the road this November to get New Zealanders talking about pancreatic health!
From 1–19 November, researchers from ASPERT, a pancreatic research group based at the University of Otago, Ōtautahi Christchurch, are travelling the length of Aotearoa as part of their #WhereIsMyPancreas Roadshow.
Gut Cancer Foundation is pleased to support this fantastic initiative, helping to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer and the importance of Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy (PERT), which can play a vital role in managing digestive difficulties for people affected by pancreatic disease.
The roadshow will finish in Auckland on Thursday 19 November, World Pancreatic Cancer Day, with Gut Cancer Foundation CEO Kristin Bernstone drawing the roadshow's prize winner at 3:30pm during the Neuroendocrine Cancer (NET) Research Day 2026.
We're proud to support the ASPERT team in taking this important message across the country and encouraging more Kiwis to learn about their pancreas, its function and why pancreatic cancer awareness matters.
Follow #WhereIsMyPancreas on social media to keep up with the roadshow's journey across Aotearoa!
Help Us Spread the Word – Download and Share Our Awareness Resources
Raising awareness doesn't have to be complicated. Simply sharing reliable information with someone you know could encourage them to recognise a symptom or seek medical advice sooner.
We've created a range of FREE pancreatic cancer awareness resources that you can download and share throughout November, including social media tiles, posters and symptom information.
Share them with your friends, whānau and colleagues, display them in your workplace, clinic or community, or post them on social media to help us reach more New Zealanders.
👉 Download and share our FREE Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month resources
Every action counts this November
Pancreatic cancer continues to have a devastating impact on New Zealand families, but together we can help change the conversation.
By increasing awareness of its risks and symptoms, encouraging earlier diagnosis, supporting those navigating the disease and raising vital funds, we can work towards better outcomes for New Zealanders affected by pancreatic cancer.
This November, we encourage you to learn the signs, share the message and Go Purple for Pancreatic.
Whether you fundraise, donate, download and share a resource, or simply start a conversation with someone you care about, your involvement matters.
Together, we can shine a light on pancreatic cancer and make a meaningful difference for patients and whānau across Aotearoa.