Just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer?

This information is for anyone recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Family and friends may also find it useful.

Being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer can feel overwhelming.

You have probably got lots of questions and worries, and it can be hard to take everything in. This section gives you key information about pancreatic cancer and your diagnosis.

Get support

You and your family can also get support from our specialist nurses on our free Support Line. You can contact them about anything – managing symptoms, questions about your diagnosis, treatment options or just to talk about how you’re really feeling.

Find out about our specialist nurses
Specialist nurse Dianne

What can I do?

  • Ask your doctor or nurse any questions you have. We have questions throughout our information that you might find helpful.
  • Contact our specialist nurses on our Support Line with any questions about your diagnosis.
  • Find out as much as you want to know. We have lots of information for people recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
  • Talk to family and friends about how you are feeling. Sometimes just talking can help you make sense of things.
  • Read more about the support we can provide.
  • Read more about dealing with the emotional impact of being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
  • Download our app Medli to get personalised support and to help you keep track of symptoms.

Get tailored information about your diagnosis

If you or a loved one have just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, our tailored emails can help you get the information and support you need.

Sign up to get tailored information and support emails
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What is pancreatic cancer?

Find out more about the pancreas and pancreatic cancer.

Click here to find out more
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Our specialist nurse, Nicci, explains what happens after you are diagnosed and where you can get support. Andrew and Linda share their experiences.

Whether you can have surgery and the stage of your cancer

You may have been told whether or not you can have surgery to remove the cancer. Or your doctor may tell you the stage of your cancer. This explains how big the cancer is and if it has spread. Your doctor will explain what this means and how it affects your treatment options. Some doctors may focus on whether you can have surgery and don’t tell you the stage. If you haven’t been told the stage but would like to know this, ask your doctor.

Your test results should be sent to your GP, and you may be sent a copy of the letter. This might include the stage of your cancer. If there’s anything in the letter that’s not clear, ask your GP or medical team to explain it. Our specialist nurses can also help explain things.

If you can have surgery to remove the cancer

If you have been diagnosed with early or localised pancreatic cancer you may be able to have surgery to remove the cancer.

Read more about localised pancreatic cancer
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If you can’t have surgery

If the cancer has spread outside your pancreas, surgery may not be possible. This is called inoperable cancer. You may have been diagnosed with locally advanced or advanced pancreatic cancer.

Read more about inoperable pancreatic cancer
Couple at medical appointment

Stage 1 pancreatic cancer

The cancer is contained inside your pancreas. This is early, localised pancreatic cancer. This is also called operable or resectable cancer because surgery may be possible.

Read more about stage 1 pancreatic cancer
Woman at medical appointment

Stage 2 pancreatic cancer

The cancer may have grown larger. It may have spread to a small number of lymph nodes near the pancreas. You might be able to have surgery to remove the cancer, but this depends on how far it has spread.

Read more about stage 2 pancreatic cancer
Patient Having Consultation With Doctor

Stage 3 pancreatic cancer

The cancer has spread outside your pancreas. This is usually locally advanced cancer. But it may occasionally be borderline resectable cancer, which means that the cancer that has grown very close to major blood vessels near the pancreas.

Read more about stage 3 pancreatic cancer
Mature counselor listens compassionately to unrecognizable female client

Stage 4 pancreatic cancer

The cancer has spread further to other parts of your body. This is advanced or metastatic cancer. You may be able to have chemotherapy to slow down the growth of the cancer, and treatment to help manage any symptoms.

Read more about stage 4 pancreatic cancer
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We need your help!

We’re reviewing our support services and exploring how they can reach more people – we’d love to hear what you think.

Take our survey

Download our app

Get personalised support and take control with our app, Medli.

Download from the App Store and Google Play

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Order our newly diagnosed pack

Our newly diagnosed packs have lots of information to help you understand your diagnosis and treatment options.

We have a pack for you if you can have surgery or a pack if surgery isn’t an option.

Newly diagnosed information pack

Managing symptoms

Pancreatic cancer can cause symptoms such as problems with your digestion, pain and fatigue (extreme tiredness). There are ways to manage most symptoms.

Find out more about managing symptoms
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Daily life with pancreatic cancer

Getting the right support can help you cope with pancreatic cancer, and continue with your daily life as much as possible.

Read about daily life with pancreatic cancer
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Read other people's stories

You may find it helpful to read about other people’s experiences of being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Read other people's stories
Two men going for a walk

Published November 2022

To be reviewed November 2025