Flourish Health & Wellbeing eMag - Latest Edition - Flipbook - Page 10
Treatment depends
on the stage
Treatment is guided by
the cancer’s type, location,
stage and whether it has
spread, as well as the
person’s general health
and preferences. Options
may include:
• surgery
• chemotherapy
• radiation therapy
• endoscopic procedures
• symptom management
• supportive and
palliative care.
For early stage disease,
surgery offers the
best chance of long
term control. The most
common procedure is
the Whipple operation,
which removes part of
the pancreas along with
nearby sections of the
digestive system and bile
duct. It is a major and
complex operation and
is only suitable when the
cancer remains operable.
When surgery is not
possible, treatment may
focus on slowing the
disease, relieving pain,
supporting digestion
and maintaining quality
of life. Palliative care can
be introduced at any
stage and may be
provided alongside active
cancer treatment.
Acting on persistent change
Pancreatic cancer remains dif昀椀cult to
detect and treat, but awareness can still
make a meaningful difference. Persistent
jaundice, unexplained weight loss,
upper abdominal or back pain, changes
in bowel motions or newly developed
diabetes should not be ignored.
Most people experiencing these
symptoms will not have pancreatic cancer.
Seeking medical advice, however, allows
the cause to be investigated and provides
the best opportunity for earlier diagnosis
when treatment options may be broader.
