Dealing with the emotional impact of pancreatic cancer

Having a pancreatic cancer diagnosis can turn your life upside down. You may ask “why is this happening to me?” You may feel very alone. But there is support to help you and your family and friends.

Our nurses can provide support and information on your diagnosis, managing symptoms and answer questions about your treatment. You can also just talk about how you are really feeling.

Common feelings

Everyone is different, but you may go through:

• shock
• fear
• distress
• sadness
• anger
• loneliness
• relief that you finally know what is wrong, if it has taken a long time to get a diagnosis.

Your daily life, relationships and your overall outlook on life might change. And your feelings may change over time.

If you are having or have had treatment to control the cancer

If you are having or have had treatment such as surgery or chemotherapy, you may feel hopeful that it will have positive results. But some people also feel anxious or scared before and during treatment, especially when they are waiting for the results of tests and scans.

It can be very hard living with uncertainty about how well treatment has worked. Some people worry about the cancer coming back or spreading.

It can also be hard when treatment finishes. If you had surgery to remove the cancer, other people may expect you to feel happy once treatment finishes. But you might be coming to terms with what you have been through. It can be hard to go back to “normal life.” Especially, if you are still recovering physically and emotionally. For example, you may feel differently about how your body looks and feels.

These strong emotions can be overwhelming. Try to be kind to yourself. Give yourself permission to feel down, upset, or angry. Not every day is going to be a good day and that’s ok.

If you can’t have treatment to control the cancer

For some people with advanced pancreatic cancer, it may not be possible to have treatment to control the cancer. This will depend on your situation. For example, you might not be physically well enough for treatments like chemotherapy. Your GP, community or district nurses will care for you and provide support with managing your symptoms. Read more about your options if you can’t have treatment.

Being told that you can’t have any treatment to control your cancer can be a shock for you and those close to you. You may feel sad or have feelings of loss, grief and anger.

Conversations about end of life care can be difficult. You may not feel like you can talk to people around you about dying. We have more information on end of life care and you can speak to our specialist nurses on our confidential Support Line. Speaking to someone who is not emotionally involved can sometimes make it a little easier to talk about these difficult topics.

Anxiety and depression

People with pancreatic cancer may be more likely to have anxiety or depression. Getting the right support can help you cope if you are struggling. Find out more about the symptoms of anxiety and depression and how to get support.

It’s important to remember that feeling low or down are normal, and not always a sign of depression.

Published August 2022

To be reviewed August 2024