Submitted by L. Millard on Wed, 30/11/2022 - 09:06
This month’s Cancer in Sight blogs is by Sally, a patient and public involvement (PPI) member of the Cambridge Pancreatic Cancer Centre who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2011.
The Cancer in Sight series of blogs brings a range of perspectives to discuss issues around the IRC’s programme to develop new technologies to effectively deliver drugs for the treatment of three hard-to-treat cancers: mesothelioma, pancreatic cancer and glioblastoma (a brain cancer).
This month’s blog titled ‘Living with pancreatic cancer – a patient’s perspective’ is written by Sally, a patient and public involvement (PPI) member of the Cambridge Pancreatic Cancer Centre who reflects on her diagnosis and treatment, the crucial role of research and offers advice to anyone who has recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Receiving a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is life changing. But to anyone who has been recently diagnosed, I would say don’t be daunted by the statistics – they are just that, statistics. You are an individual and who knows how it will turn out for you? Sally, a pancreatic cancer patient and patient and public involvement (PPI) member of the Cambridge Pancreatic Cancer Centre
The blog begins with Sally’s diagnosis 11 years ago: “My first symptom was dark urine, followed rapidly by becoming increasingly jaundiced. My husband, who was a molecular biologist before he retired, was concerned that it could be cancer – but I was adamant that it couldn’t be. However, I clearly needed to visit the GP, who fortunately acted very quickly. I saw him on a Monday and was in the hepatology clinic by Thursday of that same week. It was not good news – I was told I had a mass at the base of my bile duct which needed to come out asap. Once I could assemble everything spinning around in my head, my first coherent thought was that I could be dead within a few weeks. It is a devastating diagnosis and one that takes a while to come to terms with.”
Describing her treatment, which included surgery and chemotherapy, Sally writes: “I was very fortunate as I was suitable for surgery – there was no involvement of the major blood vessels found in that area. If the tumour infiltrates the blood vessels, you are not usually deemed suitable for surgery; only 20-25% of patients are operable.” The blog also includes reflections on how Sally coped with her diagnosis and treatment, the importance of research and the support she has enjoyed from family and friends. She also offers advice to anyone who has recently received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
“Receiving a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is life changing. But to anyone who has been recently diagnosed, I would say don’t be daunted by the statistics – they are just that, statistics. You are an individual and who knows how it will turn out for you? Be as positive as you can. Be realistic about the disease but remember everyone’s journey is their own. Talk to people, especially those who help you to be positive. Social media groups can be really useful but be selective. I have only used the one, which is for patients. Other people I know have told me that groups where relatives are also participating can be a bit harrowing. Search out trials and ask your oncologist about availability of trials. Take part in what you can. It may benefit you and then hopefully others. You will be benefiting from what others before you have done.”
Read the full Cancer in Sight blog by Sally titled ‘Living with pancreatic cancer – a patient’s perspective’ here.
