What to expect from palliative care for pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer may affect pain, appetite, digestion, weight, energy or mood. A palliative team can review abdominal or back pain, nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, itching, sleep problems and worry. Support may include medicine adjustments, pancreatic enzyme advice, nutrition guidance, activity planning, counselling and coordination with your oncology team. If jaundice or another treatment-related problem develops, the team can help arrange timely assessment rather than leaving you to manage it alone.

You can discuss goals such as eating more comfortably, staying at home, taking part in family life or preserving alertness. Palliative care can continue while cancer-directed treatment is being considered or given.

Track pain location, meals, bowel changes, vomiting, urine colour, skin or eye colour, and the effect of prescribed medicines. Bring every medicine and supplement to appointments. Ask whether enzymes should be taken with meals, how to prevent constipation, and which symptoms require a same-day call. Tell the team if fatigue or pain is limiting washing, walking or eating so the plan addresses function as well as discomfort.

Call your care team promptly for worsening jaundice, fever, persistent vomiting, inability to drink, uncontrolled pain or a sudden change in bowel function. Seek emergency help for severe abdominal pain with collapse, severe breathing difficulty, confusion, fainting or vomiting that prevents fluids from staying down. Rapid changes need clinical assessment.

Could pancreatic enzymes help my digestion? What is the plan for pain and nausea? Which change in jaundice needs urgent review? Who can help with meals or home care? How will symptom support fit with my cancer treatment?