Pancreatic Cancer Supportive Care

Living with pancreatic cancer or getting back to normal life after treatment can be challenging. As cancer specialists, we want to make sure we address each patient’s unique needs at every point in the cancer journey.

We offer two different ways for pancreatic cancer patients to receive support: through our partnership with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), a nationwide organization whose mission is to advance pancreatic cancer research and provide hope to patients and their families, and through the supportive care program on campus.

Introduction to Your Supportive Care Team

From the moment of diagnosis, our comprehensive supportive care team will help you navigate resources and resolve challenges related to cancer. Watch one of our patients share how each member of her team, including an oncology nurse navigator, social worker, registered dietitian, spiritual care professional, and music therapist, played a unique and critical role in her treatment journey.

Services

UT Southwestern has trained supportive care specialists available to patients and their families from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. The goal is to make sure we are addressing each patient’s individual needs along the care continuum.

Our services include:

Oncology Nurse Navigation: Our nurse navigators play a crucial role in helping cancer patients navigate the complex healthcare system. They act as a guide and advocate for patients from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.
Oncology Nutrition: Our dietitians help patients make informed food choices that are best for their health at various stages of cancer treatment and beyond.
Oncology Social Work: Social workers trained to work with patients who have cancer are available to assist with any of the challenges they face during or after treatment.
Spiritual Support: Provides holistic care, addressing the spiritual and emotional dimensions of the cancer experience. They offer a source of comfort, strength, and hope during a very challenging time.
Cancer Psychology: Our licensed clinical psychologists and clinical therapists are specially trained to help patients with cancer relieve the stress, sadness, or worry associated with cancer and its treatment.
Music Therapy: Uses specifically designed music interventions to address the unique physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of patients.
Oncology Rehabilitation and Cancer Exercise: Focuses on maintaining and restoring the highest possible functional status and quality of life to patients with cancer, at all stages of treatment through survivorship.
Support Groups and Classes: Meeting with others in similar situations can be helpful and cathartic.
Integrative Therapies: Activities such as art therapy and expressive writing are designed to improve well-being and quality of life during and after cancer treatment.