Question: My loved one has pancreatic cancer and is experiencing bowel changes. Is this related to the cancer or treatment?

Grading rubric:
description: The response states that bowel changes, including diarrhea, nausea, and constipation, are common among patients undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer.
description: The response mentions that chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and other treatments such as pain medications can impact the bowels.
description: The response explains that bowel changes can also be due to infections.
description: The response recommends discussing specific concerns with the patient’s oncologist.
description: The response recommends keeping a log of events related to food intake, fluid intake, and bowel symptoms.
description: The response recommends discussing the above log with the patient’s healthcare team.
description: The response recommends if the patient has not had a bowel movement in more than 24 hours and is not passing gas, their bowels may be obstructed, which is a medical emergency and requires immediate evaluation in an emergency department.
description: The response recommends if the patient is nauseous and unable to keep any food or drink down without vomiting, this can quickly lead to severe dehydration, which requires urgent evaluation by a medical professional and potentially intravenous fluids and medicines.
description: The response recommends if the patient is experiencing severe abdominal pain, this may represent a medical emergency which requires immediate evaluation in an emergency department.
description: The response says patients with pancreatic cancer may experience pancreatic insufficiency.
description: The response explains pancreatic insufficiency is related to a deficiency in the pancreatic enzymes which break down food and can cause diarrhea and bloating.
description: The response explains there are supplementary pancreatic enzymes that can be taken to alleviate the symptoms of pancreatic insufficiency.
description: The response explains if the bowel changes are due to chemotherapy, the treating oncologist can often prescribe additional medications to control these side effects.
description: The response says proper nutrition is an important part of cancer care outcomes.
description: The response says it is important to remain hydrated.
description: The response should mention that it is important to determine the cause of the bowel changes to manage them effectively.
description: The response should mention that gastric outlet/duodenal obstruction can occur in up to 10% of patients with pancreatic cancer, leading to symptoms like early satiety, nausea, postprandial vomiting, and weight loss.
description: The response should mention that patients with malignant ascites from pancreatic cancer may experience abdominal discomfort, nausea, and vomiting.
description: The response should mention that diet/nutrition changes can cause bowel changes unrelated to cancer or cancer treatment.
description: The response should mention that stress/anxiety can cause bowel changes unrelated to cancer or cancer treatment.
description: The response should mention that pre-existing conditions can cause bowel changes unrelated to cancer or cancer treatment.