The treatment options described in this section are generally part of palliative treatment. Palliative treatment is one aspect of palliative care, in which a team of health professionals work together to meet your physical, emotional, cultural, spiritual and social needs. Specialist palliative care services see people with more complex needs and can also advise other health professionals. See below for more information about palliative care.
Contacting a specialist palliative care service soon after diagnosis gives them the opportunity to get to know you, your family and your circumstances. You can ask your treating doctor for a referral.
How palliative care works
Palliative care is an important part of care for many people with pancreatic cancer. Palliative care may be helpful at any time after diagnosis and is often delivered alongside active cancer treatment to help maintain your quality of life.
 | When to startPalliative care is useful at all stages of advanced cancer. Contacting a palliative care team after a diagnosis of advanced pancreatic cancer can help you work out when is best to start palliative treatment. |
 | Symptom reliefPalliative treatment can help you manage symptoms related to the cancer or its treatment, such as fatigue, pain or nausea. |
 | Who provides careThe palliative care team is made up of people with different skills to help you with a range of issues. Care may be led by a GP, nurse practitioner or community nurse, or a specialist palliative care team. |
 | Support servicesThe palliative care team will help you work out how to live in the most fulfilling way you can. They can refer you to organisations and services that can assist with practical, financial and emotional needs. |
 | Family and carersIf you agree, the palliative care team will involve your family and carers in decisions about your care. They can also provide them with practical and emotional support. |
For more on this, see our general section on Palliative care and Living with advanced cancer.
Watch this video to learn how palliative care aims to manage the symptoms of pancreatic cancer and improve people’s quality of life without trying to cure the disease.
More resources
Prof Lorraine Chantrill, Honorary Clinical Professor, University of Wollongong, and Head of Department, Medical Oncology, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, NSW; Karen Baker, Consumer; Michelle Denham, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Prof Anthony J Gill, Surgical Pathologist, Royal North Shore Hospital and The University of Sydney, NSW; A/Prof Koroush Haghighi, Liver, Pancreas and Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon, Prince of Wales and St Vincent’s Hospitals, NSW; Dr Meredith Johnston, Radiation Oncologist, Liverpool and Campbelltown Hospitals, NSW; Dr Brett Knowles, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary and General Surgeon, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and St Vincent’s Hospital, VIC; Rachael Mackie, Upper GI – Clinical Nurse Consultant, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Prof Jennifer Philip, Chair of Palliative Care, University of Melbourne, and Palliative Medicine Physician, St Vincent’s Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, VIC; Lucy Pollerd, Social Worker, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Rose Rocca, Senior Clinical Dietitian – Upper GI, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Stefanie Simnadis, Clinical Dietitian, St John of God Subiaco Hospital, WA.
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