Key facts
- The pancreas plays an important role in digesting the food you eat. It does this by producing enzymes which break down food.
- Pancreatic cancer can affect this process. This means you don’t get all the nutrients you need from your food.
- This can cause symptoms like weight loss, indigestion, tummy pain, feeling sick, bloating and wind, and changes to your poo.
- Weight loss is a very common symptom. It can affect how you feel, and how you deal with other symptoms of the cancer. It can also affect how you deal with treatments such as chemotherapy or surgery.
- The symptoms can often be managed with pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). This replaces the enzymes that your body needs to break down and digest food properly.
- PERT can make a big difference to how you feel. It can also help you cope better with treatments like chemotherapy.
- PERT is available on the NHS. The brand names are Creon®, Nutrizym®, or Pancrex®.
- We are aware that there have been problems with the supply of some brands of PERT recently. If this is affecting you, find out more in our blog, including things you can do.
- Some of the symptoms you may get can also be caused by other things, like treatments for the cancer, or medicines you may be taking.
- Speak to your doctor, nurse or dietitian if you have any of these symptoms. They can work out what’s causing them.
- Problems with digestion and diet are hard to deal with and can affect how you feel. For example, you may feel more anxious or down than usual.
- Your family can be a huge support. Try talking to them about how you feel and things that you might find helpful, such as having smaller meals.
- Gentle physical activity may help to improve how you feel. Get medical advice before doing any exercise and only do what you can manage.
