What to expect from your care if you have pancreatic cancer

• You should be treated with compassion throughout your care.
• Your medical team should give you information you can understand about your diagnosis and treatment options.
• They should involve you in decisions about your treatment and care. Read more about your medical team.
• You should have a key contact. This may be a nurse called a clinical nurse specialist (CNS). They can support you and answer your questions.
• You and your family should get information about practical and emotional support that’s available.
• The care you receive should be well coordinated between the different healthcare teams you may see.
• If you need more support to understand your care, our specialist nurses on our free Support Line can help.
• If you have any concerns about your care, speak to your doctor or nurse first. They can help to sort it out. They can also tell you how to make a complaint if you need to.

We know that dealing with your care can be tiring and confusing. There is support available if you need it.

• Talk to your doctors and nurses. It’s ok to ask questions and tell them what you think about your care. They can support you.
• Our specialist nurses are just a call or email away. They are experts in pancreatic cancer. Whether you have a long list of questions or don’t know where to start, they will provide practical, honest information to help you.
• Ask someone to help you understand and manage your care. This could be a friend or relative, or an independent person.
• We know it can feel lonely dealing with pancreatic cancer, but sharing your experiences could help. Through the Real Life Stories on our website, you can read other people’s stories or tell your own.
• Other cancer charities offer support. Examples include Macmillan Cancer Support, Maggie’s, Tenovus Cancer Care in Wales, and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland.