I wish that there was consideration of age given. I am 67 yrs old and currently in the 3rd cycle of 4 cycles of Chemo to be followed by radiotherapy, and some other other form of hormonal blockers. I seriously considered not taking on treatment but accepted that at least I needed to do this. But do I want it to go on? Do I want my remaining years dominated by Cancer treatment?? To get a few more years? I was diagnosed with early breast cancer with 3 lymph nodes affected. Are there women my age who are thinking this way?

Dear @Molly5I was 67 when diagnosed. I had a mastectomy and lost 17 lymph nodes (only one was malignant but several looked iffy!), six months of chemo, a year of herceptin and ten years of letrozole (hormonal blockers). Was it worth it? Too right. In the past 12 years, I finally got to Iceland, along with a lot of other travel, took on a new and challenging job, became a grandmother (twice), joined a choir, took upa musical instrument (badly!) and became a volunteer with a small museum and a reader for Vision Australia. Wouldn’t have missed any of it. I have a few side effects but nothing that really impacts on my day to day life. I didn’t retire till I turned 75. After chemo, I still had herceptin infusions but now you can have it orally if required. So there wasn’t too much impinging on my time (I worked through chemo). Obviously, a whole lot depends on how you travel through treatment but my life certainly wasn’t dominated by treatment. My feelings were not somuch that my age reduced my willingness to go through treatment but that my age meant I should make the most of every moment. Give it a shot, see how you go. Cancer is a complete pain but it’s sometimes accompanied by some insights and curious benefits. Best wishes.

Hi @Molly5 I was 65 when diagnosed (71 now) and wouldn't be dead for quids. I was lucky & didn't need chemo ... It can be a tough ask to do the chemo treatment ... but with the help of your Chemo Nurses, they should be able to help abate most side effects. I found that the radiation was fairly 'easy' (just let the nurses know if you see any skin breakdown & keep the lotions & potions up to it after each session ...) The hormone blockers don't affect everyone badly - so you can always just give them a 'go' and if they don't suit, then in discussion with your Onc, consider a break! But it is the mix of the treatment that is most likely to give us many more years of life, which hopefully, will be long & prosperous!! ;) I think your general health and agility and support network (other than the current cancer treatment) is a factor in this as well .... and maybe if I was already in my 80s, I would think twice re aggressive treatment .... time will tell.take care

A friend in her mid 80s felt the same way but did what she was told - spent her final months having the treatments and died anyway. Her family felt she should have just taken pain medication as needed towards the end but had some quality of life before that point.You are not alone in your thinking at all.People have different lives and reasons to push on through, not all think they "wouldn't be dead for quids".You can only do what you feel right is for you at this time. Do you have family supports ?You are stronger than you think, though, and this phase will pass !

Hi Cath62, Thank-you for you expressing your thoughts and experience, and as you say the questioning whether to treat or not, or for how long to treat, faces us all.I have a good life, which I am very grateful for, and I have experienced things which as a child I would have never imagined. My sister passed away from metastatic breast cancer when she was 57yrs of age and perhaps being with her has influenced my thinking...residual anger that the treatment did not save her. Perhaps I should talk to someone!! Be well,

Right now you are in the thick of it but you are more than halfway through chemo and hopefully, radiation will feel like a breeze in comparison. As for the 5-10 years of hormone tablets... only you can decide to take them or not. I have thought about quitting Tamoxifen so many times. When it really starts to affect me I stop taking the tablet for a few days to a week until I feel better and then I get back on it. It's not a perfect system but we all do what we have to do :*

The Age Factor | BCNA Online Network

Molly5
Member
7 months ago
Hi arpie,
I assure you that I have no wish to rush to my grave!! My brother said to me once 'Don't judge me for the length of my life but for its breadth' He passed away at 67yrs.
I think what I am musing over is that I do have a choice, it is my decision, I don't aspire to a long life that compromises my well-being. Be well,
Molly5
Member
7 months ago
Hi Cath62,
Thank-you for you expressing your thoughts and experience, and as you say the questioning whether to treat or not, or for how long to treat, faces us all.
I have a good life, which I am very grateful for, and I have experienced things which as a child I would have never imagined. My sister passed away from metastatic breast cancer when she was 57yrs of age and perhaps being with her has influenced my thinking...residual anger that the treatment did not save her. Perhaps I should talk to someone!! Be well,
Cath62
Member
7 months ago
I love life and no matter the age I would do anything to continue on. Be grateful for treatment as it will give you opportunity to enjoy your life. You will get through it. Have you had any counselling? Some people get a bit depressed with cancer treatment so be careful you're not sliding down that dark place. Life is so great if you want it to be and treatment is there to give you that life. You could get through this and be fighting fit for years.

I think we have all wondered why do it. I think will all wonder about getting through treatment or not doing treatment but as someone who did treatment and unfortunately now is metastatic, I have no regret and I will go on and keep having treatment for the rest of my life. I am 62 and I am hoping I live for many many years and they find many more treatments for me. Best wishes
June1952
Member
7 months ago
A friend in her mid 80s felt the same way but did what she was told - spent her final months having the treatments and died anyway. Her family felt she should have just taken pain medication as needed towards the end but had some quality of life before that point.
You are not alone in your thinking at all.
People have different lives and reasons to push on through, not all think they "wouldn't be dead for quids".
You can only do what you feel right is for you at this time. Do you have family supports ?
You are stronger than you think, though, and this phase will pass !
arpie
Member
7 months ago
Hi @Molly5

I was 65 when diagnosed (71 now) and wouldn't be dead for quids. I was lucky & didn't need chemo ...

It can be a tough ask to do the chemo treatment ... but with the help of your Chemo Nurses, they should be able to help abate most side effects.

I found that the radiation was fairly 'easy' (just let the nurses know if you see any skin breakdown & keep the lotions & potions up to it after each session ...)

The hormone blockers don't affect everyone badly - so you can always just give them a 'go' and if they don't suit, then in discussion with your Onc, consider a break!

But it is the mix of the treatment that is most likely to give us many more years of life, which hopefully, will be long & prosperous!! ;)

I think your general health and agility and support network (other than the current cancer treatment) is a factor in this as well .... and maybe if I was already in my 80s, I would think twice re aggressive treatment .... time will tell.

take care

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