Cancer Research UK main site

Should I ask for a prognosis?

Welsh_Elaine
Offline

Earlier this year my breast cancer from 12 years ago metasticised to 5 of my ribs and Iv'e been on tamoxifen, bone strengthening drips, and ribociplin for nearly 6 months. My care nurse is good but always just says Im doing really well, but Im never brave enough to ask her how long I might actually live for. When I look on websites the timescales are frightening, but do I have much hope of living longer? Should I ask her? Would they know? I'm 59. Iv'e just read that Chris Hoy was told he had 2 or 4 more years. But I been told nothing.

  • Offline

    It's all just a guesstimate, and they're always better coming from your own treating doctors. There's people on here that have lived close to and over a decade on from their stage 4 diagnosis. Your treatment seems to be doing its job and keep the cancer dormant to a certain extent. When that stops, you'll probably be given something else to try and slow it down again. It all depends on your individual response to the drugs you are taking and it all sounds to be going fine at the moment. Hoy's cancer isn't your cancer. But these stories and stories from people you met along this journey do shake the ground underneath you for a period of time.

  • Offline in reply to ProfBaw

    Also, you don't need to ask the question if you don't want to. That a very personal choice you can only make. If you want to live in ignorance, live in ignorance. You're not a coward for not wanting to really know. I'm sure the treating doctors would tell you if things were imminent as to allow you to get your affairs in order.

  • Hello Welsh_Elaine and thanks for your post,

    Prognosis (how long someone has got) is a difficult thing to predict and a question best answered by your doctors.

    Whilst the drugs are controlling the cancer and you are leading a relatively normal life it is a difficult thing to predict how long this will go on for. There may also be other drugs that the doctors can offer you if the drugs that you are having are no longer working.

    Your doctors are in the best position to tell you more but even they can't accurately predict a time line in case some one lives for a shorter or longer time. You can talk to your doctors about this if this is something that you would like to do. You may find it helpful to talk to your 'care nurse' if you see her on a regular basis.

    Everyone's cancer is so different so it is difficult to compare one person with another.

    Try if you can to take one day at a time and not think too far ahead.

    You are very welcome to ring and chat any of this through with one of the helpline nurses. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    All the best,

    Catherine

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.