Time to complete: approx. 30 minutes – 1 hour (depending on existing knowledge)
Online course | Published: October 2025
Part four of our diabetes and pancreatic cancer six-part course will explore the nutritional management of diabetes in pancreatic cancer. This includes an overview and aims of nutritional management of diabetes in pancreatic cancer, what to do if someone has a low appetite and/or is losing weight and supporting people who are well with maintaining a healthy intake.
If you haven’t already taken part one: an introduction to pancreatic cancer and diabetes you’ll need to take this module before taking the other parts of the course. This is so you have a good starting knowledge of pancreatic cancer and diabetes before going in-depth into specific topics. You will then be able to take any or all of the other parts of the course, and in whatever order you like.
Ready to take the next course in the series?
Head over to the diabetes and pancreatic cancer course page to explore the other courses in the series and sign up to the next one now.
Who is part four of the course for?
Part four of the course is aimed at all health professionals supporting and caring for people with diabetes and pancreatic cancer who would like more information on the nutritional management of diabetes in pancreatic cancer.
The course aims to increase understanding of diabetes and pancreatic cancer where there is often intersection between job roles (such as HPB CNSs and DSNs). It aims to help you deliver your role in the best way possible.
What can you achieve from taking part four of this course?
- Increase your knowledge and understanding of the aims of nutritional management of diabetes in pancreatic cancer
- Increase your knowledge and understanding of supporting people with their nutrition when they have a low appetite and/or are losing weight
- Increase your knowledge and understanding of supporting people who are well in maintaining a healthy intake
- Grow your confidence in supporting patients with diabetes and pancreatic cancer
There will be a short quiz toward the end of the course to test your knowledge of the course content.
You will receive a CPD certificate of completion at the end of course.
Which ACCEND Capabilities in Practice does this course support?
Our courses are mapped to the ACCEND framework. Find out more about ACCEND.
This course supports the following ACCEND Capabilities in Practice:
- 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
- 14. 1 Understand the complexities of working with people who have cancer +/- other clinical conditions including physical, psychological, spiritual and psychosocial
- 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
- 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.
What do those who have taken the course think?
Of those who have taken the course to date:
– 97% rated it good or excellent
– 97% reported their knowledge and understanding increased
– 100% would recommend to a colleague
“As this course has enhanced my knowledge I feel that I will be able to support patients in my care more effectively” Nurse
FAQs
Do I need to complete the part four of the course in one go?
No. You can start part four of the course and come back to it later to complete it. The course will remember your progress.
Can I get CPD from taking this course?
Yes. This course is CPD certified. On completion of the course, you will receive a certificate with the CPD stamp which you can use for revalidation.
Do I need to take all six parts of this course?
You can pick and choose which parts of the course you would like to take (other than part one which is mandatory). We recommend taking all six parts, however, it’s your choice and you’ll receive a CPD certificate for each part completed.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the following people who wrote, reviewed and tested this online course, in addition to our Pancreatic Cancer Specialist Nurses:
Authors:
- Anna Burton, Senior Specialist Pancreatic Dietitian, Leeds Teaching Hospital
- Laura McGeeney, Diabetes Specialist Dietitian, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Vicki Alabraba, Education & Research Associate and Diabetes Specialist Nurse, University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust (until December 2024) and Clinical Education and Training Specialist, Insulet International Ltd
Reviewers:
- David Jones, Senior Diabetes Specialist Nurse, OCDEM, OUH, Churchill Hospital, Oxford
- Ellen Lyell, Specialist Dietitian, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle
- Makylah Lavender, Lead Diabetes Specialist Nurse, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Philip Johnston, Consultant in Endocrinology and Diabetes, Regional Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes, Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast
- Rachel Ewing, Advanced Practice Diabetes Dietitian, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
User testers:
- Katie Hodkinson, Macmillan Upper GI CNS, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS
- Margaret Palmer, Diabetes Specialist Nurse, Leeds Teaching Hospitals
- Rosie Forrest, UGI/HPB CNS, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS
- Yvonne Steele, HPB CNS, UHB NHS Trust
Videos: People affected by pancreatic cancer who shared their experience:
- Mark Rixon
- Sally Pascall
- Sharon Marks
Endorsed by
Contact us
If you have any questions about the course or if you need any help, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at hpnetwork@pancreaticcancer.org.uk