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Coping and support
By Mayo Clinic staffLearning you have a life-threatening illness can be devastating. But coping with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer can be especially difficult because the disease is nearly always fatal. As a result, you may feel overwhelmed just when you need to make crucial decisions.
Although there are no easy answers for people dealing with pancreatic cancer, some of the following suggestions may help:
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Learn all you can about your illness. Learn everything you can about pancreatic cancer and your treatment options. Ask your doctor about good sources of further information. Seek a second opinion and explore treatments available through clinical trials. You will have many decisions to make in the weeks and months ahead. The more you know, the more active a role you can take in the decision-making process.
Contact the National Cancer Institute's toll-free information line called the Cancer Information Service at 800-4-CANCER, or 800-422-6237. Or contact the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at 877-272-6226.
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Maintain a strong support system. Strong relationships are crucial to dealing with life-threatening illnesses. Although friends and family can be your best allies, in some cases they have difficulty coping with the shock of your diagnosis. In these cases, talking with a counselor, medical social worker, pastoral or religious counselor, or even a formal support group for people with cancer can be helpful. You may also find strength and encouragement in being with people who are facing the same challenges you are.
Contact the American Cancer Society at 800-ACS-2345, or 800-227-2345, for more information about cancer support groups in your area. Or contact CancerCare at 800-813-HOPE, or 800-813-4673, for information on telephone-based support groups.
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Come to terms with your illness. Coming to terms with the fact that your pancreatic cancer will likely be fatal can be difficult. For some people, having a strong faith or a sense of something greater than themselves makes this process easier. Others seek counseling from someone who understands life-threatening illnesses, such as a medical social worker, psychologist or chaplain. Many people also take steps to ensure that their end-of-life wishes are known and respected.
A great fear of many people with a life-threatening illness is being subjected to treatments they don't want or spending their last weeks or months in a hospital away from loved ones and familiar surroundings. The welcome news is that many choices exist for people with a terminal illness.
Hospice care, for example, provides a special course of treatment to terminally ill people. This allows family and friends — with the aid of nurses, social workers and trained volunteers — to care for and comfort a loved one at home or in hospice residences. It also provides emotional, social and spiritual support for people who are ill and those closest to them. Although most people under hospice care remain in their own homes, the program is available anywhere — including nursing homes and assisted living centers. For people who stay in a hospital, palliative care specialists can provide comfort, compassionate care and dignity.
Although it can be extremely difficult, discuss end-of-life issues with your family and medical team. Part of this discussion will likely involve advance directives — a general term for oral and written instructions you give concerning your medical care should you become unable to speak for yourself.
One type of advance directive is known as a durable medical power of attorney (POA) for health care. In this case, you sign a legal document authorizing a person you respect and trust to make legally binding medical decisions for you if you're unable to do so. A POA is often recommended because the appointed person can make decisions in situations not covered in a regular advance directive. Whatever you decide, it's important to put your wishes in writing. Laws regarding advance directives and POAs vary from state to state, but a written document is more likely to be respected.
To learn more about advance directives, you can contact the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization at 800-658-8898.
