How does pancreatic cancer affect digestion and nutrition?

The pancreas produces enzymes which digest (break down) food. Pancreatic cancer can affect this process. This means you don’t get all the nutrients you need from your food.

What's in the 'Diet and pancreatic cancer' information section?

Diet and pancreatic cancer
How does pancreatic cancer affect digestion and nutrition?
What symptoms are caused by digestion problems?
Who can help manage my diet?
Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) for pancreatic cancer
How do I take pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy?
What if pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy does not help?
Nutritional supplements for pancreatic cancer
Coping with the emotional effects of diet symptoms
Diet tips for pancreatic cancer

The pancreas produces enzymes that help to break down food. This is part of digestion. Nutrients from the food can then be absorbed into the blood and used by the body. Different pancreatic enzymes help to break down foods containing fat, protein and carbohydrate.

How does pancreatic cancer affect digestion?

Pancreatic cancer, or surgery to remove the cancer, can reduce the number of enzymes that your pancreas makes.
It can also block the enzymes from getting to the duodenum (first part of the small intestine) where they are needed for digestion. For example, the cancer can block the pancreatic duct, which carries the enzymes from the pancreas to the duodenum.
This is called pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI).
It means that food is not properly digested, and the nutrients are not absorbed. This is called malabsorption. It can cause symptoms like weight loss.
It can be managed with pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT).