New diagnosis - mum diagnosed with metastatic cancer

Hi 

My mother was diagnosed with metastatic cancer today - we don’t know what type of cancer. But we know it has spread and we need to wait for an MRI. I’m worried she won’t be eligible for any treatment. She is fit and walks several miles every day despite being in her 80s

its a devastating blow 

  • Hi Aon, 

    A very warm welcome to our forum. It must be so hard to know that your mother's cancer has spread and yet to still be in the dark as to the type of cancer she has been diagnosed with. Hopefully the MRI will shed some light on what is going on and on what the primary cancer is. It's great that she is fit and still walking several miles a day despite being in her 80s. It's normal to worry about her not being eligible for any treatment because of her being diagnosed with metastatic cancer but try not to think too much about this as you won't know for sure really what type of treatment she might be eligible for until you get the full picture as to her diagnosis and the type of cancer she has.

    Her being so fit is definitely an advantage though if she was to start treatment soon. This is indeed a devastating blow for you and her loved ones and I just wanted you to know that you are not alone and I hope that you will hear from others on here who have been through this anxious wait for a full diagnosis and who have looked after a loved one who had metastatic cancer. Waiting for the MRI and for the final details of the diagnosis is by no means easy and I hope that you will find out more very soon so that you can understand what you are dealing with and what the treatment options might be. I thought I would share with you our helpful tips to help you cope while waiting for important news.

    Do let us know if you get a moment what the results indicate and if you wanted to talk things through with one of our cancer nurses at any point, you are very welcome to call them on this free number 0808 800 4040 - their helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. 

    Best wishes to you and your mum, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator