This month is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, with charities and supporters across the UK coming together to raise awareness of the toughest cancer to diagnose, treat and survive.
Earlier this year, after hearing that patients were struggling to find the right information, the Pancreatic Cancer UK charity consulted with doctors, nurses, specialists, the People in Partnership (PiP) forum and people previously bereaved to put together a guide that focusses on end of life care.
The booklet contains information about the symptoms people may get towards the end of their life and how to manage these, how to access the care and support they might need, dealing with the emotional impact of dying from the condition, and specific information for family members. It is also aimed at healthcare professionals, to help them offer the best possible support to patients, their family and friends.
Since its publication in April this year the booklet has been downloaded over five times more than the charity’s other booklets in this time period.
The charity also found there is a real need for specific information, as their website’s pages offering information on symptoms such as swelling, jaundice and nausea are the most visited pages in the end of life care section.
Lesley Goodburn, Chair of PiP and founder of the Purple Rainbow Campaign in support of Pancreatic Cancer UK said:
“It is good to get feedback from Pancreatic Cancer UK about how the booklet the People in Partnership group made a contribution to has been used by people affected by pancreatic cancer. The group are happy to work with partnership organisations to provide support and feedback on matters relating to palliative and end of life care and life-limiting illnesses. ”
The ‘Pancreatic cancer and end of life care: information for people in the last few months, weeks or days of life’ booklet is a free resource and can be downloaded or ordered from the Pancreatic Cancer UK website.
Read our interview with Lesley Goodburn here
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month runs till November 30.
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