How you might be feeling

Most people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and their families find it a huge shock - particularly if, as often happens with pancreatic cancer, the patient had no idea they were seriously ill. It can leave you feeling bewildered and as if your world has been turned upside down.

Fear, anger, frustration, confusion and loneliness are also common reactions to a diagnosis but no matter what you are feeling you can be sure that you are not alone!

There's no "right" reaction and no "right" way to feel when a diagnosis is given. Some people need time to absorb the diagnosis either alone or with someone close to them. Some people are calm, others cry, some become angry, others feel helpless … the list goes on and on.

The truth is that whatever you're feeling is right for you and it's important not to stifle your feelings or, within reason, the way you express them. Whether it is you who has pancreatic cancer or someone close to you, you may feel that you won't be able to cope with what is to come. That's perfectly natural but Pancreatic Cancer UK can provide support and help in addition to your medical team and family and friends.

You will also develop your own coping strategies in the coming weeks and months. For some this may involve finding out everything you can about the illness while others prefer not to know all the details. Again, there's no "right" way to cope, we all cope in whatever way we can. For now, just take it one step at a time.

Some people find that one of the hardest tasks is to tell others about their illness. You can get some tips about talking to others about your cancer at the Macmillan Cancer Support.

Talking to children about your cancer can be particularly difficult, the CancerHelp UK and Macmillan Cancer Support websites have some advice.

The writer of this page is a Pancreatic Cancer UK volunteer whose husband was unexpectedly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.