Pancreatic cancer is considered one of the most difficult tumours to detect and diagnose due to its anatomical position deep in the body. Unlike other cancers, there has been limited progress increasing survival for patients with pancreatic cancer. In Canada, the five-year net survival rate for patients with pancreatic cancer is the lowest of all cancers. This course will introduce you to pancreatic cancer epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis, and treatment, covering the foundational knowledge you need to provide nursing care to patients with pancreatic cancer and their families. This online course will build on what you learned in Foundations of Oncology Nursing Practice or Cancer Care Basics.

Course Objectives 

By the end of this course, you will be able to: 

• Locate the gross anatomical regions of the pancreas and explain the exocrine and endocrine functions of the pancreas.  
• List the common pathological subtypes of pancreatic cancer. 
• Describe the incidence, mortality and gender distribution of pancreatic carcinoma cases in Canada.  
• List factors that put a person at higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer and list the prognostic factors that put a person at higher risk of dying from pancreatic cancer. 
• Recognize the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer and describe the general diagnostic pathway for pancreatic cancer. 
• Define “resectable”, “borderline resectable” and “unresectable” pancreatic cancer 
• Describe the TMN staging system for pancreatic cancer. 
• Explain the use of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and palliative procedures used to treat pancreatic cancer. 
• Anticipate the post-treatment complications of surgery and systemic therapy to treat pancreatic cancer.

Course Syllabus

This course consists of two self-directed eLearning modules and a final quiz.

The final quiz consists of a case study where you will apply your knowledge to the care of a particular patient living with pancreatic cancer. The quiz is open-book and a passing grade is 75%.

Although you can complete the various components of the course at your own pace, the course must be completed within 6 weeks from the time you register for the course. 

Download the full Course Syllabus.

Eligibility

Available to all regulated health care professionals working along the cancer care continuum.

Payment must be received before you have access to the course. For more information, please visit our Cancellation & No Show Policy.

Participants can pay for this course online with a credit card, or send a cheque to: