Coping with pancreatic cancer pain

Getting help for pain early on can help you to cope better. Pain can affect your mood. For example, you may feel worried about being in pain, have trouble eating or sleeping, or find it hard to concentrate on other things.

The amount of pain you have may not be linked to how advanced your cancer is and doesn’t always mean that the cancer is growing. It’s really important to tell your doctor or nurse about any changes to your pain, so that they can make sure you have the right dose of pain relief.

Your doctor or nurse should regularly check the emotional impact of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer, including pain, during your care. They should offer you information and support to help you cope with pancreatic cancer.

If you are struggling at all with pain or with coping with pancreatic cancer, speak to your doctor or nurse. They can answer your questions, find ways to manage the pain and help you deal with it. Don’t stop taking your pain relief or change your dose without speaking to your medical team first.

How can I help myself?

There are things you can do at home to distract yourself from pain or help you feel more able to deal with it. For example, you could try a hobby, reading a book, watching television or listening to music. And you could try some complementary therapies.

Updated February 2019

To be reviewed February 2021