PERT and pancreatic cancer

22nd September 2022, 09.00 - 10.40am, Zoom

We teamed up with senior specialist HPB dietitian, Mary Phillips, to deliver this free online session on pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT).

When cancer affects the pancreas, it can reduce the number of enzymes it produces to break down food. The body begins to starve – unless pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) is prescribed.

PERT enables food to be digested, building tolerance to treatments - but it’s not just for people having active treatment or surgery.  It also reduces debilitating digestive symptoms and improves quality of patients’ lives. It should be considered for everyone with pancreatic cancer at point of diagnosis.

View the recording and slides

What did this session cover?


  • 09.00 – 09.10: Welcome and introduction
  • 09.10 – 09.20: Patient perspectives on PERT
  • 09.20 – 09.35: Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency (PEI)
  • 09.35 – 10.20: Treating PEI with PERT
  • 10.20 – 10.35: Q&A
  • 10.35 – 10.40: Close

Who is this session for?


This session is suitable for all healthcare professionals treating and supporting people with pancreatic cancer, no matter your level or role. It is particularly relevant for the following roles:

  • UGI / HPB CNSs working in secondary care and specialist centres
  • Dietitians working in secondary care and specialist centres
  • Doctors working in secondary care and specialist centres
  • Palliative care consultants and nurses
  • GPs
  • Support workers, patient navigators, MDT co-ordinators

Our speaker


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 18 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.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at hpnetwork@pancreaticcancer.org.uk

This event was supported by