Symptoms towards the end of life

We explain the symptoms people with pancreatic cancer might get in the last few months or weeks of life, and how these are managed.

Key facts

  • Your symptoms may change in the last months or weeks of life, and you may get new symptoms.
  • You may become less mobile, feel weak and be less able to do your everyday activities. This is normal.
  • There are ways to manage most symptoms. Speak to your doctor or nurse about any symptoms you have.
  • Ask who to contact if you get new symptoms or your symptoms get worse.
  • Ask your GP or nurse for an out of hours number for help with symptoms at night or over the weekend.
  • Tell your doctor or nurse straight away about any pain. The sooner you get treatment, the better the chance of getting the pain under control.
  • Taking pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) when you eat can help with problems with digestion.

Symptoms towards the end of life can include pain, fatigue (extreme tiredness), sickness, weight loss and bowel problems. Not everyone will get all of the symptoms we’ve included in this section.

What can I do?

Speak to your doctor or nurse about any symptoms, including new symptoms or if any symptoms get worse. It’s important to tell them about:

  • any new pain, including back or neck pain
  • numbness in your arms, legs or around your bottom
  • problems controlling when you poo or pee (incontinence)
  • breathlessness
  • swelling and pain in your leg
  • swelling in your tummy
  • jaundice
  • feeling more thirsty than usual, and weeing more
  • being sick.

Ask them to review your symptoms. They will work out the best way to manage your symptoms and make sure you are as comfortable as possible.

If you have any questions about symptoms you can talk to our specialist nurses on our free Support Line.

What if I need help with symptoms out of hours?

Your GP, community nurse or palliative care team should explain what to do if you need help with symptoms at night, or at the weekend. You should have a phone number for out of hours services. If you haven’t been given one, ask the palliative care team or GP.

If you live in England, Wales or Scotland, you can also call the NHS on 111 or use NHS 111 online for advice out of hours. In Northern Ireland, there are local out of hours phone numbers for each region, which you can find on the nidirect website. Your GP answer phone message may also have an out of hours number for you to call.

Just in case medicines

As your health changes, your medical team may give you medicines to keep at home for symptoms you may get in the future. These are sometimes called pre-emptive, anticipatory or just in case medicines. If you need these medicines urgently, your nurse can give them to you. This can be helpful if you need treatment at night or at the weekend.

Find out about the symptoms people with pancreatic cancer get in the last few months

Anxiety and depression

Anxiety and depression can be common in people with pancreatic cancer. Read about the support available towards the end of life

Anxiety and depression towards the end of life

Living well to the end of life: Palliative care for pancreatic cancer

If you are feeling unsure about what palliative care is, who is there to provide palliative care and what it involves, we are running a webinar on this topic with two of our specialist pancreatic cancer nurses, Simon and Rachel, on 13th November, 6-7pm via Zoom webinar.

This session will provide you with expert guidance from specialist nurses who can answer your questions, discuss practical steps and direct you to further support. You can find out more information on our website and sign up now.

Find out more

Questions to ask your doctor or nurse


  • How will my symptoms be managed?
  • What support is there for dealing with symptoms?
  • What can be done if my symptoms don’t improve, or get worse?
  • What should we do if my symptoms get worse at night or at the weekend?

Try our new WhatsApp service

We’re testing this new service for another five weeks. You can speak to our Specialist Nurses via WhatsApp between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.

To speak to a nurse on WhatsApp click the button below or WhatsApp us on 07816 408416.

Get in touch on WhatsApp
WhatsApp logo

Speak to our nurses

If you have any questions about symptoms you can speak to our specialist nurses on our free Support Line.

Speak to our nurses
Specialist nurse, Lisa, talks on the phone to offer support.

Complementary therapies to help deal with symptoms

Some people find that complementary therapies can help with symptoms. Complementary therapies can help you to relax and feel better. They can’t treat the cancer. But they can be something pleasant to look forward to.

Always tell your healthcare team before starting a complementary therapy, as some may affect your treatment. And tell your complementary therapist about your cancer and any treatments you are having.

  • Acupuncture is a treatment that involves putting very fine needles into different parts of the body. Some people find it can help with symptoms like pain and sickness.
  • Massage may help you relax. It may help to reduce pain and help you feel better generally. Check with your doctor or nurse if it is safe for you to have a massage. You shouldn’t have a massage on any areas where you have any broken skin, or if the massage is making pain any worse. If you have problems with bleeding you should avoid deep tissue massage.
  • Reiki is a gentler type of massage where the therapist’s hands gently brush over the body, or a few inches above the body. This may be useful for people who can’t have normal massage.
  • Reflexology is a type of massage that involves putting pressure on parts of the hands or feet. This may help to relieve pain in other parts of the body.
  • Relaxation therapies like meditation, aromatherapy and hypnotherapy may help relieve symptoms such as pain.
  • Other therapies that you may find helpful include art therapy, music therapy and pet therapy.

Some hospices, hospitals and charities offer complementary therapies. Ask your nurse what is available in your area.

Read our booklet about end of life care

To read more about end of life care, download our booklet, Pancreatic cancer and end of life care. Information for people in the last few months of life.

You can also order a physical copy.

Order our booklet
Front cover of booklet. Image is of male patients in bed with female talking to him while touching his shoulder

Published August 2024

Review date August 2027