You’ve been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Just as pancreatic cancer affects physical health, it will likely spawn a wide-range of emotional feelings as well. Emotional issues can progressively become more intense feelings of anxiety, worry, and fear that can change sporadically moment by moment as you progress through treatments.

Realize that experiencing emotional issues are normal expectations of being diagnosed for any type of cancer.

You will likely feel that your life is now out of control. After all, consider the possibility of the a myriad of stressful emotions you could possibly experience during your journey with pancreatic cancer.

• Are you going to survive? After all, pancreatic cancer is the worst of cancers.
• It claims the highest mortality rate of other tumor-type cancers.
• It’s average 5-year average survival rate is only 11.5% across all stages. (2022 National Cancer Institute)
• It is the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related deaths.
• You will be entering a period where you’re likely to feel helpless and lonely.
• You may imagine no longer doing the things you enjoy.

It will be difficult knowing you’ll be facing tough emotional and physical challenges with the most brutal of cancers. But those are times you must find ways to take control and meet those challenges head-on. Learn as much as possible about your pancreatic cancer. It will help you face challenges with enhanced confidence. The more you know, the more in control you will feel.

Question your doctor and your entire cancer care team. Request as much clarity and honesty as possible. Request that they not to be afraid to paint a clear picture of expected prognosis. However, keep in mind that each patient can react circumstantially different to the varying elements within your prognosis. It will be difficult, but try to address every issue with complete confidence.

You will likely feel anger. Panic. Fear. Frustration. Helpless. Anxiety you could never imagine. It is okay not to pretend all is okay. You must release your emotions. It is not healthy to keep those demons bottled-up inside you. Release them by talking openly with family and friends. Loved-ones will want to help you. Consider seeing a professional counselor for help in dealing with the emotional obstacles. Get motivated to take positive action.

Open up. Feel a sense of hope. With today’s more rapid pace of innovative treatment discovery, there are more and more long term pancreatic cancer survivors living active lives with pancreatic cancer than ever before. Hopeful outlooks and positive attitude will help you to soothe negative emotions. Continue to seek ways to build upon that sense of hope.

• Try to continue to do the things you enjoy pending the doctors limitations during recovery.
• Write down everything that gives you reason to hope. Talk to others about those things.
• Spend as much time building a relationship with nature. Nature will always inspire.
• Ask other patients how they deal with emotional challenges. Join our support group.

Consider joining our pancreatic cancer support group. Sharing your various feelings with peers can strengthen positive outlook.