The Apple co-founder underwent surgery in 2004 for an islet cell neuroendocrine tumour, a rare and less aggressive type of pancreatic cancer. This - and excellent medical care - is probably why he lived so long with the disease.

Each year, more than 7,500 people in the UK are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and around 6,500 die of it. It has the worst survival rate.

Just three per cent of patients live for five years or more after being diagnosed with the disease. Part of the reason is that the disease is notoriously difficult to diagnose in the early stages.

Some of the most common early symptoms - stomach pain, nausea, jaundice, weight loss, fever - can be caused by several other conditions.

However, the Study for Survival report, based on the experiences of nearly 1,000 patients, found that more than 50 per cent of pancreatic cancer patients experience symptoms up to a year before being diagnosed, with nearly a third of all patients making five or more visits to the doctor.

By the time they are diagnosed, the disease is often in its advanced stages, which can limit treatment options.

Risk Factors

AGE        It is more common in older people. Eight out of ten people who develop the diseas are over 60

SMOKING         It  increases your risk of a number of lethal diseases, including pancreatic cancer. Up to one in five pancreatic cancers may be linked to smoking cigarettes, cigars or chewing tobacco.

BLOOD GROUP         People with the blood groups A, A/B or B are more likely to develop the disease than people with blood group O.

MEDICAL CONTITIONS        Diabetes and Chronic pancreatitis may be linked to an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. .

HEREDITARY   Around one in ten cases of pancreatic cancer are thought to be caused by inherited genes which predispose them to developing the disease.

WHAT TO DO?

A healthy lifestyle can help to reduce your risk of cancer, including pancreatic cancer. Limit saturated fat and sugar, eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables each day, try to maintain a healthy weight and keep physically active. There is some evidence to suggest that lycopene (found in tomatoes) and vitamin C may help protect against pancreatic cancer.