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Pancreatic cancer awareness month

November is pancreatic cancer awareness month. Discover what support is available from Macmillan for people affected by pancreatic cancer.

What is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month?

November is pancreatic cancer awareness month. It includes World Pancreatic Cancer Day which falls on the third Thursday in November.

This month is important because it helps to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer, it's symptoms and what support is available for people who are living with pancreatic cancer.

About pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a cancer that starts in the pancreas. The pancreas is part of the digestive system.

There are several different types of pancreatic cancer. Types are described based on:

  • where it is in the pancreas
  • the type of cell they start from.

In the video below abdominal Surgeon Charles Imber explains pancreatic cancer. He gives an overview of the symptoms and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

  • What are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer?

    Pancreatic cancer may not cause symptoms for a long time. Some people may only have one symptom.

    Some possible symptoms are:

    • pain and discomfort in the upper part of the tummy (abdomen) that sometimes spreads out into the back
    • signs of jaundice such as yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, itchy skin, dark pee (urine) or pale and smelly poo (stools) that are difficult to flush away (steatorrhoea)
    • unexplained weight loss.

    Most people with these symptoms will not have pancreatic cancer. They may be caused by other more common conditions.  But if you have any symptoms, it is important to get them checked by your doctor.

    Find out more about symptoms of pancreatic cancer.

  • How is pancreatic cancer treated?

    Treatment for pancreatic cancer depends on:

    • the stage and grade of the cancer
    • the position of the cancer in the pancreas
    • your general health and preferences.

    Treatment for pancreatic cancer may include:

    You may also have treatment to help with symptoms.

    Your doctor will usually meet with other specialists to get their opinion on treatment. You will also have the opportunity to talk about your treatment options. Read about making treatment decisions.

Support and information for people living with pancreatic cancer

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Get support from Macmillan

Visit our Online Community

Visit our pancreatic cancer forum to talk with people who have been affected by pancreatic cancer. You can discuss the different types of treatments, side effects, and anything else on your mind.

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Further support

View all ways we can help

Stories from people living with pancreatic cancer

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Dan

“I had digestion issues for over a year before I finally got taken seriously by any medical professionals. I had gone to my local GP and go private in an attempt to get the issue resolved to no avail. When my symptoms worsened and I had excruciating abdominal pain after eating, I went to the A&E.

“I was eventually diagnosed with 3b pancreatic cancer, but went through many different diagnosis beforehand. This period was extremely challenging, and by the time we got the final diagnosis, the medical team delivered it in a way which was extremely daunting.

“I had already been off work sick for over a month at this point, and they were not going to be paying me much longer. I had been trying to go back to work for months, but my employer block me from doing so with a report from Occupation Health. I got a report from my medical team stating that I should be allowed to work but only a limited amount of hours, but this still has not got them to accept me back. As time has worn on, this has been a source of more and more stress.”

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Carole

"I am not clever enough to be able to stop people getting pancreatic cancer nor to prevent people from dying. I hope by sharing my story and experiences I can give support and encouragement to others going through the same journey; and raise awareness of the disease so that the clever people out there can improve outcomes to enable everyone to enjoy a good quality of life.

"My survival is primarily because of an early diagnosis discovered through routine monitoring of a problem with my bile duct, coupled with being relatively young and fit meaning that I was able to have the surgery (Whipple’s procedure) not available to everyone. Like so many diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, I had no obvious or immediate symptoms and had none of the normal associated risk factors."

How to get involved this pancreatic cancer awareness month

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Fundraise

Whether you want to join one of our events or take on your own challenge - you can help make a difference in the lives of people living with cancer.

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Share your experience

If you are living with or know someone who has been affected by cancer, sharing your experience can help inspire more people to do whatever it takes for people living with cancer.

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Become a volunteer

Volunteering can make a real difference in the lives of people affected by cancer. We have different opportunities to suit your skills and experience.

Donate to Macmillan

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