World Cholangiocarcinoma Day on February 14th Again Puts Global Spotlight on Rare and Devastating Bile Duct Cancer as Part of Annual Awareness Month

STANSTED, England, February 14, 2018 (Newswire.com) - World Cholangiocarcinoma Day on February 14th, 2018 will once again serve to raise international awareness of a relatively rare form of liver cancer, the rates of which risen worldwide over the past few decades. Cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer, is devastating cancer that occurs in the bile ducts in or outside the liver. With few noticeable and often misunderstood symptoms, once diagnosed, fewer than 5% will be alive one year later.

Now in its third year and thanks to the partnership of six organisations from the UK, Thailand, and the U.S., the annual World Cholangiocarcinoma Day falls as part of the global Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness month. AMMF, the UK’s only cholangiocarcinoma charity, is especially proud to have first instigated this date in 2016 and to be collaborating with The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation of Thailand, the lead for this year’s event with the chosen theme of ‘Hope for the future’.

Cholangiocarcinoma is a global problem requiring a global solution

Helen Morement , CEO, AMMF

During World Cholangiocarcinoma Day, along with other global partners, AMMF will reach out to those around the world who need to hear about this ruthless disease, using a bespoke website and social media bearing the new ‘Hope for the Future’ theme, a message specially designed for concerned charities and organisations around the world to unite and raise awareness of the disease – bringing hope to those diagnosed with the ‘silent killer’ that is cholangiocarcinoma.

Although it is the second most common primary liver cancer in the world, with an increasing incidence globally, and despite its appalling survival rates due to vague symptoms leading to late diagnosis and few treatment options, cholangiocarcinoma remains poorly understood and under-researched. Latest figures show there were 2,161 deaths caused by cholangiocarcinoma in 2013 in England alone (NCIN/Cancer52 report). The incidence appears to be increasing across all age groups, including younger people, and the cause of this ongoing increase is unknown. Much more research is desperately needed.

Cholangiocarcinoma is a global problem requiring a global solution.

World Cholangiocarcinoma Day is one step closer to achieving that solution.

- Ends -

Notes to Editor:

The six organisations participating in World Cholangiocarcinoma Day are:

AMMF: www.ammf.org.uk

The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation of Thailand: www.cca.in.th/en

CASCAP: www.cascap.in.th

The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation: www.cholangiocarcinoma.org

 The Bili Project Foundation: www.thebiliproject.org

TargetCancer Foundation: www.targetcancerfoundation.org

The abbreviation for Cholangiocarcinoma is CCA (or sometimes in the UK, CC)

Join the social media sites

Facebook:  World Cholangiocarcinoma Day
Twitter:  World CCA Day
Using the hashtag:  #WorldCCADay

AMMF is the UK’s only charity dedicated to cholangiocarcinoma, providing information to those who need it, working to raise awareness, and encouraging and supporting research. www.ammf.org.uk (reg charity no. 1091915).

Source: AMMF