Introduction to pancreatic cancer: part three – symptom management (2025)

This course is suitable for all healthcare professionals interested in finding out about symptom management associated with pancreatic cancer. It is designed specifically for healthcare professionals with some or no experience of pancreatic cancer. It is also a good refresher for those with more experience.

• Knowledge and understanding of the ongoing supportive care needs of pancreatic cancer patients
• Knowledge and understanding of the management of pancreatic cancer symptoms
• Confidence in supporting patients with complex symptoms

You will receive a CPD certificate of completion at the end of course.

Our courses are mapped to the ACCEND framework. Find out more about ACCEND. 

This course supports the following ACCEND Capabilities in Practice: 

• 1.5 Recognise the wider impact that symptoms of cancer, often persistent, can have on individuals, their families and those close to them 

• 3.8 Help individuals and carers to understand their care options, sharing information on the risks, benefits, consequences, and potential outcomes in a clear, open way to support shared decision-making 

• 5. 5 Progress care, recognising that reducing symptoms, restoring and maintaining function and independence, and improving quality of life all form clinical outcomes and meaningful goals of treatment 

• 6. 1 Provide information and advice appropriate to the needs, priorities and concerns of individuals 

• 7. 4 Access information from a range of resources, and use them to meet the individual needs of service users, translating clinically related topics into language which is understandable both for individuals to self-manage effectively and for the development of patient information 

• 15.11 Facilitate, refer to and/or prescribe non-medicinal therapies such as psycho-oncology, lifestyle changes, wellbeing information and support, and social prescribing 

• 17. 5 Promote the importance of a healthy diet and nutritional requirements to reduce the impact of cancer-related symptoms 

• 18. 1 Recognise common symptoms and oncological emergencies 

• 18. 2 Assess and recognise treatment-related and disease related symptoms relevant to own area of practice screen for all these symptoms 

• 19. 4 Provide specialist interventions and advice to support symptom management including complex symptoms arising from cancer, cancer treatment and late effects 

• 20. 5 Identify and rationalise any need for additional support for the patient and carer / family, socially, psychologically and medically 

• 20. 6 Identify the need for additional clinical and professional support such as referral, second opinion 

• 24. 2 Engage in self-directed learning, critically reflecting on practice to maximise advanced clinical skills and knowledge, as well as own potential to lead and develop both care and services locally and regionally. 

The common symptoms of pancreatic cancer and supportive care needs of patients, exploring:

• Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) and treating this with PERT
• Reduced appetite and weight loss
• Fatigue
• Pain
• Psychological and emotional impact
• Jaundice and itching
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bowel issues
• Gastric outlet obstruction
• Type 3c diabetes
• Ascites and oedema
• Blood clots
• Palliative and end of life care

There will be a short quiz toward the end of the course to test your knowledge of the topics.

Nearly 1,000 health professionals have taken the course, of which:
– 99% rated it good or excellent
– 94% reported their knowledge and understanding increased
– 99% would recommend to a colleague

“I now understand the impact symptoms can have on a patient and how they can be effectively managed” CNS

“Excellent quality of information – well written, clear and interesting”  UGI/HPB Dietitian

Do I need to complete part three of the course in one session?

No. You can start the course and come back to it at a later date to complete it. The course will remember your progress.

Can I get CPD from taking part three of this course?

Yes. Each part of the course is CPD certified. On completion of part three of the course you will receive a certificate with the CPD stamp which you can use for revalidation.

Do I need to take parts one and two before taking part three?

We do recommend taking part one on symptoms, risk factors and diagnosis and part two on treatment options, before taking part three of the course. However, it isn’t mandatory to do so and you are able to take this course on it’s own. After taking part three, we recommend taking the case studies course which brings to life the theory from parts one, two and three of the course.

We would like to thank the following people involved in this course:

Reviewers

• Dr Charlotte Chamberlain, Consultant in Palliative Care, University Hospitals Bristol
• Dr Ciaran Conway, GP
• Prof Daniel Palmer, Medical Oncologist, University of Liverpool
• Emma Westmancoat, HPB Clinical Lead Dietitian, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
• Dr Hilary Brown, Researcher, Oxford Brookes University
• Dr James Davies, Palliative Medicine Consultant, University Hospital, Llandough
• Rachel Haigh, CNS CUP and HPB Teams, Edinburgh Cancer Centre
• Rachel White, Dietitian, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust

Videos: People affected by pancreatic cancer who shared their experience

• Becki Buggs
• Dorothy Sweeney
• Jenny Oldfield
• Mark Edmonds
• Mark Rixon
• Sharon Marks

The course content

The content of this course is supported by research, studies and guides which are referenced throughout the course content.