Life after pancreatic cancer treatment

Follow-up care after pancreatic cancer usually involves regular CT scans to ensure that the cancer hasn’t returned. How often you have a check-up depends on the tumour and your general health when you finish treatment. It may be every 3-6 months at first, with longer intervals the longer you are cancer-free.

If you have any concerns after your treatment, you do not need to wait for follow-up appointments to raise them, speak to your specialist nurse or GP. You may wish to discuss any side effects, symptoms or issues you have been having. Writing down your concerns, bringing a pen and paper, or someone you trust to appointments may also help.

Towards the end of your treatment for pancreatic cancer, you should have sat down with at least one medical professional and discussed what will happen next. The level of support you need should be assessed according to all your medical, physical, social and emotional needs, and a care plan or treatment summary may be produced.

This should tell anyone who reads it about the type of cancer you had when you were diagnosed and what stage the tumour was at. It should detail your follow-up plan and any input from professionals you need, for example, a plan to see a dietitian or your clinical nurse specialist.

If you are not offered any of these services, it is important to speak to your medical team about what will happen once your treatment has finished and have a schedule to keep track of your care.

A member of your medical team should be able to discuss with you any symptoms or signs that they would need to be made aware of and make sure you know how to recognise concerning symptoms as well as how to live a healthy lifestyle.