Pancreatic Cancer: What to Expect

For our final episode of this series, Kiruthikah and Camilla speak with Jason, who was living with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He reflected on his reasons for taking part in a clinical trial and what the experience was like. We hear from Jason about why he chose to join a clinical trial, what the experience was like, and what he’s gained from it. Jason’s story offers honest and encouraging insight...

In this episode, Camilla and Kiruthikah are joined by Debs, a medical oncologist and clinical academic, to discuss clinical trials for pancreatic cancer treatments. We’ll cover: what a clinical trial is and the different types (Phase 1, 2, and 3) involved in developing new treatments the potential benefits and risks of joining a clinical trial the exciting advancements in gene sequencing and how t...

In this episode, Kiruthikah and Camilla are joined again by Emily, who had surgery for pancreatic cancer followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She shares her experience of going through radiotherapy and what helped her manage during treatment. We hear from Emily about: what it’s like to have radiotherapy the physical side effects she experienced, such as tiredness and skin changes how she sta...

In this episode, Camilla and Kiruthikah are joined by Dr Kasia Owczarczyk, consultant clinical oncologist, to explore the role of radiotherapy in treating pancreatic cancer. We’ll cover: when and why radiotherapy is used, including before or after surgery, or for managing pain and other symptoms what happens during radiotherapy, including the planning process, how treatment is delivered, and what...

In this episode, Camilla and Kiruthikah are joined by genetics counsellor Maddie Gale to explore the role of inherited genetic changes in pancreatic cancer and what they can mean for patients and their families. We’ll cover: what genes are and how changes in them can sometimes increase the risk of cancer what happens at a genetics appointment, including how testing works and what the results can t...

In this episode, Kiruthikah and Camilla are joined by Emily, who had surgery for pancreatic cancer followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Now on long-term surveillance, she shares her experience of taking pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) and how it affects daily life. We hear from Emily about: the practicalities of managing enzyme tablets, especially when eating out how missing dos...

In this episode, Camilla and Kiruthikah are joined by cancer dietitians Saira and Lizzie, to discuss the crucial role diet plays in managing pancreatic cancer. We’ll cover: how dietitians support patients with pancreatic cancer, especially those struggling with weight loss and digestion the importance of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), how it works, and how to take it correctly manag...

In this episode, Kiruthikah and Camilla are joined by Janet, who is living with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. She shares her experience of undergoing ERCP procedures to manage jaundice caused by her cancer. We hear from Janet about what it’s really like to undergo an ERCP, from the first emergency procedure to planned stent replacements. Janet also talks openly about how she manages the emotional and...

In this episode, Camilla and Kiruthikah are joined by Dr Sreelakshmi Kotha, a consultant gastroenterologist, to discuss the management of pancreatic cancer complications, specifically jaundice and blockages in the bile ducts and small bowel.  We cover: why jaundice occurs and how gastroenterologists can help manage it managing blockages in the bile ducts and small bowel, the procedure involve...

In this episode, Kiruthikah and Camilla are joined by Jason, who is living with stage 4 cancer, and his son Joe.  Jason and Joe talk openly and powerfully, about their experiences and how they are approaching this important conversation. Jason’s story highlights what it's like to live with an incurable cancer, and how he is planning for the end of his life.  If you have any questions abo...

In this episode, Kiruthikah is joined by Gehan, an oncology consultant with a special interest in advance care planning and Leann, a palliative care nurse.  We discuss what palliative care means and how to access services what advanced care planning is and why it's important to do how hospices can support people who are dying. This episode discusses why it's important to have open and honest...

In this episode, Camilla and Kiruthikah are joined by Vicky, a chemotherapy nurse, to discuss the the practical side of having chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer  We’ll cover: the role of a chemotherapy nurse  what to expect on the chemotherapy day unit some of the side effects of chemotherapy.  With chemotherapy being such an important part of pancreatic cancer treatment, this epis...

In this episode, Camilla and Kiruthikah are joined by Emily, who shares her personal experience of chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer. We’ll hear from Emily about: her unexpected path to diagnosis and the shock of learning about her cancer her candid reflections on the physical and emotional challenges of chemotherapy including side effects how she coped with the impacts of treatment on her daily...

In this episode, Camilla and Kiruthikah are joined by Dr. Yuk-Fun Liu, a diabetes consultant, to explore the important connection between diabetes and pancreatic cancer. We’ll cover: the link between pancreatic cancer and diabetes, particularly type 2 and type 3C diabetes how diabetes can affect cancer treatment, including the impact of steroids and PET scans managing blood sugar levels during can...

In this episode, Camilla is joined by Chris Pennie, who shares his personal journey from diagnosis to recovery after pancreatic cancer surgery. Chris' surgeon was Mr Mo Elmasry, the guest from our previous episode on surgery, and he joins the conversation. We cover: Chris’s experience with unexpected symptoms, diagnosis, and his decision to have surgery the emotional and physical challenges of sur...

In this first episode, Dr Kiruthikah Thillai (Consultant Medical Oncologist) and Camilla Carr-Smith (Clinical Nurse Specialist) at Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, introduce you to the series and give you a glimpse into the basics of pancreatic cancer care.  We’ll cover: what the pancreas does how pancreatic cancer can develop and be diagnosed and what some of the treatment options...

In this episode, Camilla and Kiruthikah are joined by Mo, a consultant hepatobiliary surgeon at King’s College Hospitals, to explore the complexities of pancreatic cancer surgery. We’ll cover: how surgeons decide if a patient is suitable for surgery the different types of pancreatic cancer surgeries and what they involve the recovery process after surgery and what patients can expect. Mo also shar...