Your care

People sometimes find the healthcare system confusing. We explain the medical team if you have pancreatic cancer, and the care available.

It can sometimes be difficult to work out how to get the care and support you need, especially if you have never had to do it before. In this section we have information about your medical team, and the care available at hospital and in your own home.

Key facts

A team of medical professionals should review the information about your diagnosis. The team is called a multidisciplinary team (MDT).
You should be given the details of a nurse (called a clinical nurse specialist). They can support you and answer your questions.
The medical team or specialist nurse should regularly check are coping with any symptoms or side effects.
Ask the GP or nursing team who to contact if you need help in the evenings, at night or over the weekend.
Local community support can include help from a nurse at home and practical support such as equipment.
If you need nursing support at home, this is most likely to come from the community nursing service.
Hospices provide free palliative care for people with an illness that can’t be cured. This includes managing symptoms. Hospice care isn’t just for someone at the end of their life.
Your local council’s social services department may also provide support. You can request an assessment from them to work out what care you need.
Sometimes people consider private healthcare for pancreatic cancer. If you are thinking about private healthcare, you should speak to your GP or NHS consultant.

The care you should expect and receive

Everyone with pancreatic cancer should expect a good standard of care. There are guidelines for cancer care across the UK.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have produced guidelines on the diagnosis and management of pancreatic cancer in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This may help you understand the care you should have and make decisions about your treatment.

The care you should expect and receive: Patient charter

Download our app

Managing a diagnosis can be overwhelming. Medli provides tailored information relevant to your specific circumstances, helping to save time and make things easier for you.