Educational resources
Tools from the Jreissati Pancreatic Centre at Epworth to support general practitioners (GPs) in the early diagnosis and care of people with pancreatic cancer.
The Jreissati Pancreatic Centre at Epworth is a centre of excellence in clinical care, patient experience and research. We are committed to improving early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
The symptoms of pancreatic cancer are non-specific and similar to symptoms of other less serious health issues. Studies have found that it often takes up to six visits to a GP with symptoms, before a patient receives a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
A delay in diagnosis significantly impacts quality of life for patients and their families. If it’s not detected early, pancreatic cancer can advance and be harder to treat. For these reasons, the Australian Optimal Care Pathway for Pancreatic Cancer recommends early referral to a specialist physician, often before a GP has confirmed a diagnosis.
We want to partner with you to improve outcomes for your patients.
Educational resources
Decision support tool for GPs
To help GPs diagnose pancreatic cancer earlier, a group of specialists in Australia have developed a decision support tool to assist investigations of those with increased risk of pancreatic cancer. The decision support tool helps to identify diagnostic pathways based on combinations of symptoms and risk factors.
(PDF, 124kb)
Screening information for high risk patients
You may consider a referral to the Jreissati Pancreatic Centre at Epworth for patients in high risk families who may benefit from screening, and patients with pre-cursor lesions such as cysts.
We are a Victorian site for the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Screening Program. The study is assessing endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) as a screening test for pancreatic cancer for people with an increased risk.
Eligible patients are aged 50 to 80 years old* (or 10 years younger than their youngest relative with pancreatic cancer), with one of the following:
- at least two or more close relatives with pancreatic cancer, or
- gene variants (BRCA2, ATM, PALB2, Lynch syndrome, Familial Atypical Multiple Mole Melanoma) AND a close relative with pancreatic cancer, or
- Peutz-Jeghers syndrome or hereditary pancreatitis and *aged 40+.
Please contact Research Program Manager, Caroline Le, for further information on phone 03 9426 8880 or email [email protected]
3D desktop model of the digestive tract
Many people don’t know what the pancreas is or its location in the body. We have developed a physical desktop model of the digestive tract to support GPs in discussions with patients.
It also features the GP decision support tool for easy reference.
Order your free model by email [email protected] or phone 03 9426 8880. We are currently only able to mail to Victorian addresses.
GI for GPs symposium - October 2024
Join us on Saturday, 5 October 2024 for a one-day event with leading specialists and researchers sharing current best practice across gastroenterology, upper GI surgery and oncology, including pancreatic cancer.
Watch a recording of the 2023 GI for GPs Symposium
check (RACGP)
check is a continuing professional development (CPD) learning activity led by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and written and reviewed by expert clinicians and subject matter experts. Each unit comprises approximately five clinical cases with answers, followed by 10 multiple-choice questions, as well as references and resources.
check aims to keep Australian GPs up to date with the most common and most important clinical conditions, providing up-to-date, relevant support to GPs in their clinical practice.
The Jreissati Pancreatic Centre at Epworth led the February 2024 edition of check, which focused on the investigation and management of pancreatic cancer.
Learning outcomes include:
- discuss the management of patients with pancreatic cystic lesions
- summarise the early signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer
- outline the criteria for individuals who are at high risk of developing pancreatic cancer
- describe the investigations recommended for diagnosing pancreatic cancer
- list the red flags for pancreatic cancer that warrant early specialist referral.
GP pancreatic cancer information session
The GP Liaison team at Epworth hosts regular education events for GPs. You can watch the December 2021 pancreatic cancer information session on demand. Gastroenterologist and Centre Director, Associate Professor Andrew Metz, with General Practitioner Dr Andrew Davaris discuss symptoms, risk factors, investigations, current treatment and how GPs can support patients during and post treatment.
Password: epworthgp
Patient information booklets
Share comprehensive information with your patients with our free patient guides:
Epworth Pancreatic Cancer Patient Guide
Epworth Pancreatic Cancer Patient Nutrition Guide
Know the symptoms poster
You can print the PDFs or guide your patients to www.pancreaticcentre.org.au
For printed copies of the guides or shorter booklets for your practice, please phone 03 9426 8880 or email [email protected]