We welcomed back Senior Specialist HPB Dietitian, Mary Phillips to lead our fifth annual webinar on pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) and pancreatic cancer.
During the event, Mary explained what pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) is, the symptoms, causes and consequences. She then discussed how to treat PEI using PERT, how to use it effectively and troubleshoot ongoing issues. The session aims to provide you with the knowledge and understanding to confidently advise your patients on its effective use.
We heard from people affected by pancreatic cancer, their experience of taking PERT and its impact on their quality of life, and there was a chance to ask questions
Mary also provided a short update on the latest PERT shortage guidance.
View the slides
PERT and pancreatic cancer – Mary Phillips, Senior Specialist HPB Dietitian, Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Lived experience - Iian's story
In this video Iain, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2003, shares his symptoms before and after taking PERT, the impact it has had on his quality of life and how he is coping during the current shortages.
View the video of Iian sharing his experience
Watch the recording
View the agenda
- 09.00 – 09.05: Welcome – Lea Booth, Specialist Pancreatic Cancer Nurse, Pancreatic Cancer UK
- 09.05 – 09:10: Lived experience
- 09.10 – 10.20: PERT and pancreatic cancer – Mary Phillips, Senior Specialist HPB Dietitian, Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- 09:10 – 09:25: Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency (PEI)
- 09.25 – 10.15: Treating PEI with PERT
- 10.15 – 10.20: An update on the PERT shortage and the latest guidance
- 10.20 – 10.55: Q&A – Chaired by Lea Booth, supported by Jeni Jones, Specialist Nurses, Pancreatic Cancer UK
- 10.55– 11.00: Close
Learning Outcomes
- Increase your knowledge and understanding of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) in pancreatic cancer
- Increase your ability to recognise and diagnose PEI
- Increase your knowledge and understanding of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT)
- Be confident in advising your patients on effective use of PERT and troubleshooting issues
- Be informed on the latest PERT shortage guidance and where to find further support
Who is this session for?
This session is suitable for all health professionals who support and care for people with pancreatic cancer. It is particularly relevant to:
- Nurses
- CNSs
- Palliative care teams
- GPs and primary care health professionals
- Dietitians
- Support staff, such as support works and patient navigators
Our speakers
Chair:
Lea Booth, Specialist Pancreatic Cancer Nurse, Pancreatic Cancer UK
Lea studied at the University of Birmingham and qualified as nurse in 2011. She has worked in Oncology departments in a large teaching hospital in the West Midlands since graduating. Her first junior nursing role was as a chemotherapy nurse on the inpatient and young person’s unit before she joined the Oncology research team as a research sister, running clinical trials for both liver and pancreatic patients. Her role before joining Pancreatic Cancer UK was as a HPB clinical nurse specialist that covered surgical and oncology pathways for both pancreatic and liver cancer patients, supporting and guiding them through their cancer journeys.
Speakers:
Mary Phillips, Senior Specialist HPB Dietitian, Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Mary graduated from the University of Surrey in 2000, and for the last 21 years has been working with the pancreatic surgical team at the Royal Surrey in Guildford. Her main clinical and research interest is in the management of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, and she is currently undertaking her PhD in the long-term consequences of pancreatic resection.
Further resources
Further resources for you and your patients:
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at: hpnetwork@pancreaticcancer.org.uk
