Written by healthcare professionals;

Resources for GPs

Pancreatic cancer is a difficult disease to diagnose. It often presents late and with vague or non-specific symptoms. The resources provided here will raise your awareness of pancreatic cancer and provide resources of your practice and patients to support them throughout their journey.

On this page you will find information about: e-learning , resource packs, NICE diagnostic and referral guidelines, EMIS risk tool, GP seminar and how to stay in touch.

E-learning module

Pancreatic Cancer Action is the first UK charity to work with the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) to develop free online training on pancreatic cancer.

You will be awarded Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits for taking part in the course and though you need to register yourself, you do not need to be a RCGP member. The module is based on a video case study format and will allow you to see a variety of disease presentations, both typical and atypical and responses.

Access e-learning

GP resource pack

We have created a free pack specifically for GP’s with a range of free resources including information on our free RCGP accredited e-learning module, as well as diagnostic guidelines and a symptom diary for patients.

Order a free pack

NICE diagnostic and referral guidelines

NICE referral guidelines for pancreatic cancer were updated in June 2015 with specific management guidelines updated in 2018.

Pancreatic cancer referral

Refer people using a suspected cancer referral (for an appointment within 2 weeks) for pancreatic cancer if they are aged over 40 and have new jaundice. Consider an urgent direct access CT scan (to be performed within 2 weeks), or an urgent ultrasound scan if CT is unavailable, to assess for pancreatic cancer in people aged 60 and over with weight loss and any of the following:

  • Diarrhoea
  • Back pain
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • New-onset diabetes

Download guidelines

Pancreatic Cancer risk tool

Users of EMIS can request a free download from Primary Care Pathways of the Pancreatic Cancer risk tool, created in association with Pancreatic Cancer Action. The tool, based on NICE guidelines, provides an alert for patients with red flag symptoms for pancreatic cancer. The alert notifies you of the risk of pancreatic cancer and suggests some next steps.

Download tool

Pancreatic cancer medical reference chart

A4 medicine has produced a free to download chart describing the risks, symptoms and diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. The chart is useful in the diagnosis and management of patients with pancreatic cancer. It contains key information on one A4 page that can be displayed in your practice and shared with colleagues.

Click here to view chart

GP seminar

If you would like to arrange a seminar for your GP practice or for other clinicians in your area, please email us at enquiries@panact.org or call 0303 0404 1770.

News and updates

We would love to keep you up to date with the work we are doing with Healthcare Professionals to help diagnose pancreatic cancer sooner. Our Healthcare Professional Newsletter is for anyone in the healthcare sector who is interested in knowing:

  • The latest news about pancreatic cancer including statistics and research
  • New resources from Pancreatic Cancer Action for you and your team
  • How you can help with early diagnosis and get involved with Pancreatic Cancer Action including all our new healthcare campaigns

Stay up to date

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