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Pancreas cancer: questions to ask your doctor

Last published:Nov 16, 2023

Being diagnosed with a serious illness such as pancreas cancer can be a shock. You may find it hard to think of everything you want to ask your doctor.

It might help to make a list of questions before your appointment. You could also take notes during your visit, or bring a close friend or relative with you to ask questions and jot down information.

Here are some questions you may want to ask.

General questions

  • How advanced is my disease? What is the stage of my cancer?

  • Has my cancer spread?

  • Do I need more tests to check if it has spread?

  • What treatment choices do I have?

  • Can you operate?

  • Will you be able to help with my symptoms (such as pain)?

  • What help or support can I get to help me cope?

  • Can I get help with my diet and exercise?

Questions about surgery

  • Why do you think I should (or shouldn’t) have surgery?

  • Will surgery mean I live longer?

  • What kind of operation do you recommend?

  • What are the risks of surgery?

  • Where would I go to have surgery? Is it a specialist centre?

  • How will I feel after the operation?

  • Will it be painful afterwards? And how can this be treated?

  • Will I need to change my diet?

  • How long will I be in hospital?

  • When will I get back to my normal activities?

Questions about medicines and other treatments

  • What treatments do you recommend?

  • Why do I need these treatments? What are the benefits?

  • Will they help me live longer or will they just help my symptoms?

  • What are the side effects of these treatments?

  • Can the side effects be treated?

  • How should I expect to feel during treatment?

  • How will treatment affect my normal activities?

  • How long will treatment go on?

  • Will I need to be treated in hospital or can I have treatment as an outpatient?

  • How will I know if the treatment is working?

  • Are there any clinical trials I could join?

The patient information from BMJ Best Practice is regularly updated. The most recent version of Best Practice can be found at bestpractice.bmj.com. This information is intended for use by health professionals. It is not a substitute for medical advice. It is strongly recommended that you independently verify any interpretation of this material and, if you have a medical problem, see your doctor.

Please see BMJ's full terms of use at: bmj.com/company/legal-information. BMJ does not make any representations, conditions, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that this material is accurate, complete, up-to-date or fit for any particular purposes.

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