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Pancreatic cancer artwork to be unveiled
We will be unveiling a new art installation on 19th November, World Pancreatic Cancer Day, to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer and the importance of early diagnosis.
Members of the public are invited to drop in to view the installation and ‘meet the artist’ as part of the unveiling of the artwork, from 2pm to 4pm on Thursday 19th November and from midday to 2pm on Saturday 21st November.
The art installation has been created by artist Caroline Rudge over the last few months, and is titled ‘800 missed steps’. The number is representative of the number of lives lost each month in the UK to pancreatic cancer. The project has been made possible through funding from the Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucestershire (SWAG) Cancer Alliance.
The installation has also been made possible due to incredible support from the local community. In recent months, people have donated hundreds of pairs of shoes and trainers to the practice and local people have taken part in two dedicated volunteer mornings, helping to lace hundreds of the donated trainers and shoes with purple ribbon and cutting out purple butterflies that will form part of the final artwork.
The art installation is particularly poignant for artist Caroline, as she explains. “This installation exists to raise awareness of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer. I wanted to make something that would be an eye-catching talking point, including hundreds of shoes, butterflies and written messages and yet I also wanted a deep personal element in the story drawers, which viewers of the installation will see, as I lost my father to this disease. I’m hoping this artwork will open up conversations and invite questions, and encourage others to share their stories and experiences of pancreatic cancer. I look forward to meeting members of the public at our upcoming open events, which they are warmly invited to.”
Karen Creffield, Managing Partner at Frome Medical Practice said, "The 800 Missed Steps installation is a powerful example of what can be achieved when a community comes together behind an important cause. We have been overwhelmed by the support shown by local volunteers who have given their time to help create this artwork and by the input of Caroline. We hope the installation will encourage conversations about pancreatic cancer, increase awareness of its symptoms and ultimately help more people receive an earlier diagnosis."
Dr Rachel Brown, Primary Care Lead for SWAG Cancer Alliance said: “Early diagnosis is really important in pancreatic cancer to give people the best treatment options and outcomes, and so we’re really pleased to see this powerful art installation and hope it serves as an important reminder for people not to put off seeing their GP if they have any health concerns. If it can drive just one person to an earlier cancer diagnosis, that would be really fantastic.”
For more information about pancreatic cancer, including signs and symptoms and what to do if you are concerned, visit the Pancreatic Cancer UK website
Published: Oct 29, 2026