Hello,
I was diagnosed with primary breast cancer in mid-August, aged 72. Now, thanks to our wonderful NHS I have had a mastectomy and lymph node clearance, which came back as all clear of cancer.
Now, I am faced with the dilemma of deciding whether or not to undergo the hormone treatment for 5 years and whether to go through the other treatments recommended. I checked with NHS Predict and the difference between life expectancy of 5 years is 5% if I have hormone treatment, 3rd generation chemo and bisphosphonates. 84% with no further treatment, 86% with hormone therapy, 87% with hormones and bisphosphonates, and 89% with those plus chemo. That is 5% better chance of being alive in five years. What I want to know is IS IT WORTH IT???
I am wondering if anyone out there has been through any or all of these treatments at my age. The ten year prediction goes from 62% to 71% if I have all, and 15 years is 42-52%.
I mentioned my age and the nurse said she wasn't allowed to be ageist, so couldn't discuss the merits of a five year menopause to get a 2% extra chance of being alive in five years.
i have promised my family that I will make my decision on future treatment only after carefully considering the pro's and cons.
I am now awaiting an appointment to discuss everything with an oncologist, who will presumably emphasise all the pro's, but I would really appreciate some input from any ladies of my age who can tell me of their real life experience of the treatments they have had and it they feel it was worth it.
The truth is, I'm a wimp and have been fortunate to have had a healthy life up to now. So much so that if I feel ill for more than a couple of days I am the patient from hell ( according to my daughter, anyway) The thought of night sweats and mood swings from the hormone treatment or the joint pains from bisphosphonates (i already have osteoarthritis) or nausea and sickness from chemo doesn't thrill me at all. If I was twenty years younger, there would be no doubt in my mind that I should take whatever I could to prevent the cancer returning but at almost 73???
Here's hoping!
xxx