Nutrition and Pancreatic Cancer
After major surgery for pancreatic cancer, you may suffer from one or more of the following:
- poor appetite and weight loss
- food malabsorption due to a deficiency of the digestive enzymes
- nausea and/or vomiting
- diarrhoea
- diabetes (high blood sugar levels).
This guide provides suggestions on how to deal with these dietary issues. What you can eat and drink may vary from person to person. You will find it helpful to talk to a dietitian while in hospital for individual advice.
For more information on nutrition for people with cancer call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20 for a copy of Food and Cancer.
Dietitians can help
Dietitians are experts in dealing with nutrition problems and will be able to give you specialist advice on how to cope with problems. They are available to help you in all public hospitals, and some private hospitals. The Dietitians Association of Australia can direct you to an accredited practising dietitian in your area or to one who has experience in particular problems. Dietitians in private practice may also be listed in the Yellow Pages. People with cancer may be eligible for a Medicare rebate for a consultation with an accredited practising dietitian if a GP has referred them. Some private health insurers also provide a rebate. Seeing a dietitian in a public hospital while you are an inpatient is free.
