Pancreatic cancer

What is a placeholder statement?

A placeholder statement is an area of care that has been prioritised by the quality standards advisory committee but for which no source guidance is currently available. A placeholder statement indicates the need for evidence-based guidance to be developed in this area.

Rationale

People and their families or carers are often left devastated by a diagnosis of cancer, particularly when they learn that the treatment options are limited and the prognosis is poor. As a result, they often have significant needs for psychological support to help them and their families cope with the diagnosis of a life-limiting disease.

Cancer and cancer treatment can also leave people feeling very unwell. They may experience a range of symptoms that can reduce their quality of life and ability to take part in normal daily activities. Symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include pain, anxiety, depression, fatigue, bowel or digestive problems, loss of appetite, weight loss, itchiness and nausea. People with pancreatic cancer and their families and carers need timely access to information and psychological support to help them cope with these symptoms and side effects, and maintain as good a quality of life as possible for as long as possible.