Pancreatic Cancer

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Pancreatic cancer is an abnormal growth of tissue in the pancreas. Cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow and divide without control or order and causing a tumor. No one knows for sure what causes pancreatic cancer. You are at a higher risk for getting it if you smoke a lot. The main signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer are jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes), lower back pain that does not go away, and unplanned weight loss. Pictures of your abdomen (stomach) may be taken to help diagnose the cancer. Tests include abdominal ultrasound, CT scan and MRI. The main treatment for pancreatic cancer is surgery, but anticancer medicines may also be given.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not take any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking antibiotics, take them as ordered until they are all gone even if you feel better.
  
  
• The pancreas is the organ that helps regulate blood sugar and prevent a condition called diabetes. After treatment for pancreatic cancer, you may need to use medicine to manage diabetes. Ask your caregiver for more information about diabetes and how to manage it.
  
  
• If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Diet: Eat a variety of healthy foods every day. Your diet should include fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy products, and protein (such as chicken, fish, and beans). Eating healthy foods may help you feel better and have more energy. You may need to change the way you eat to control your blood sugar. Choose foods lower in sugar, fat, and cholesterol. Your caregiver or dietitian will help you plan a diet. Ask your caregiver about any extra nutrition you may need, such as pancreatic enzyme supplements.

Rest: Try to get six to eight hours of sleep each night. You may feel like resting more. Match your activity to the amount of energy you have. Nap a couple of times during the day. Going to bed early and getting up late may also help. If you are not able to sleep, call your caregiver.

Quit smoking: It is never too late to quit smoking. Smoking harms the heart, lungs, and the blood. You are more likely to have a heart attack, lung disease, and cancer if you smoke. You will help yourself and those around you by not smoking. Ask your caregiver for more information about how to stop smoking if you are having trouble quitting.

Wound care:

• After surgery, a thin stent (tube) may be placed in your wound to drain fluid. The drain may be hooked to a suction container to collect the fluid. Empty the suction container into the toilet. Your bandage may need to be changed more often if the drain is not hooked to a container.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver for information about how and when to clean the wound.
  
  
• Wash your hands before and after taking care of a wound to prevent spreading infection.
  
  
• Loosen the tape and gently remove the old bandage. Use water to loosen the bandage if it sticks to the wound. Throw this bandage into the trash. Gently clean the wound with the solution suggested by your caregiver and gauze. Clean the wound in a circle-like motion from the inside of the wound to the outside. Repeat, using a new gauze. Dip a cotton-tipped swab in the same cleaning solution to remove crusty drainage if needed.

For support and information: Pancreatic cancer is a life-changing disease for you and your family. Accepting that you have cancer is hard. You and those close to you may feel scared, depressed, angry, or sad. These feelings are normal. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. You may also want to join a cancer support group. This is a group of people who also have pancreatic cancer. Contact the following for more information:

• American Cancer Society
  Phone: 1-800-227-2345
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.org
  

• Cancer Information Service
  Cancer Information Service
  Phone: 1-800-422-6237
  Web Address: http://www.nci.nih.gov
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have chills, cough, or feel weak.
  
  
• Your wound is swollen, red, or has pus coming from it.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have trouble breathing all of a sudden.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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