Irving, TX – June 30, 2019 – Pancreatic cancer, as well as its treatment, can cause various physical challenges to patients. Palliative care helps to comfort pancreatic cancer patients and improve their quality of life and overall well being while fighting their disease or after their treatment. It is critical that patients discuss the side effects and symptoms they experience with the doctors to inquire about palliative care.

“Patientscan seek help from supportive care and symptom management healthcare professionals,” said Susan Echt. “Getting palliative care early when diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and also during and after treatment of the disease can greatly improve the patient’s quality of life.”

The physical challenges below are most common in pancreatic cancer patients and can be addressed through supportive care:

• Neuropathy – Neuropathy causes tingling, numbness in areas around the mouth, burning in the feet or hands, loss of sense of touch and constipation. Neuropathy can be caused by certain medicines for chemotherapy that can damage the peripheral nerves of a patient.

Supportive care for neuropathy includes prescription medications, wearing comfortable clothing and practising relaxation techniques.

• Jaundice – The buildup of bilirubin in the body can cause jaundice in some pancreatic cancer patients. The patients will experience yellowing of eyes and skin, light-coloured stool, dark urine and itching. Supportive care techniques for jaundice include bypass surgery or placing stent.

• Ascites – Ascites is caused by a buildup of excessive fluid in the abdomen. When the cancer affects the abdominal lining, lymphatic system or the liver, the patient develops ascites. The condition causes swelling of the belly. Ascites can be managed through diuretics and paracentesis.

• Nausea – Nausea comes as a result of pancreatic cancer or as a treatment side effect for the disease. Different supportive care approaches, including anti-nausea medication and dietary changes, can be used to minimize or prevent nausea.

“Pancreatic cancer experience is unique in every patient,” continued Mrs. Echt. “Talking to the healthcare team can help to find supportive care strategies for every unique case.”

About The Sandler-Kenner Foundation

The Sandler-Kenner Foundation, established in 2007 as the Las Colinas Cancer Center Foundation, was renamed in early 2011 in the memory of Michael Sandler and Peter Kenner, both of whom passed away from pancreatic cancer, a lethal disease that is difficult to diagnose until it has reached an advanced stage.

Visit them at https://helpfightpancreaticcancer.org/facts-about-pancreatic-cancer/treatment-drugs-for-pancreatic-cancer/ to know more.