Cancer Research UK main site

Anyone out there first diagnosed in their 70's?

Sheltie_Lady
Offline

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

  • Offline in reply to Sheltie_Lady

    Thanks Christine,

    I'm glad the Letrozole has been okay for you. I hope your knee is feeling better now. How long do the cortisone injections last for?

    Like you, my mother notices some accummulation of fluid where she had her lymph removed. If she doesn't do any arm exercises, this worsens, so she tries to do this daily. It is annoying for her too, but manageable as you say.

    Thanks for your good wishes for her appointment with the consultant tomorrow. We will chat about the size effects of Letrozole so far for mum, which seem to just(!) be extra aches and pains. Her radiotheraphy area is still red but is healing. 

    Hope the Letrozole continues to be fine for you. Let me know if you start using the vibration plate again and how it goes. It looks very funny from the YouTube videos I'm peeked at! I wonder what it's like to have a conservation whilst standing on one.

    A bit of an update: My mother met with a new consultant as the one she has seen previously has gone on sabbatical. She gave my mother some information about taking bisphosphonates to protect from the risk of secondary cancer in the bones and to lower the risk of osteoporosis. My mother's bone scan indicated some evidence of osteopenia in her left hip so she is on Adcal-D3. Apparently for some patients who take bisphosphonates there are small risks of the jaw bone not healing well if dental work occurs and of unusual fractures to the thigh bone so my mother wants to have a think about that before agreeing to treatment...

  • Offline in reply to Marjan

    Hi Marjan,

    Its been a while since I visited this thread, so I though I would just give an update.

    The Letrozole doesn't seem to be giving me too much trouble although a few weeks ago I had a lot of bad headaches which I thought were caused by it, but these have gone now so it could have been lockdown stress.  
    The steroid injections in my knees did wonders, also I have been having video appointments with a physiotherapist who has given me very effective exercises that I do every day, so the pain is very manageable at the moment although the injection is wearing off a bit. I think they only last a few months. The X-ray I had showed severe  arthritis in my knee and my doctor says it needs replacing, but only when the injections and physio stop working.

    i had a bone scan and it showed some thinning so I'm taking the calcium and D3 supplements but I decided not to do the bisphosphonates as the predicted benefit was only a 1% improvement in my longevity prospects.

    How is your mum doing? I hope she is coping ok with everything.

     

    Christine x

  • Offline in reply to Sheltie_Lady

    Hi Christine. 

    Hope you don't mind me butting in. Have you thought about Cbd oil. 

    I had an injection in my knee to help rumatoid arthritis done properly at hospital lasted nearly two years, went to get another that part had shut. Checked with Dr's told they do it, Dr who did it kept moving it about in my knee came out worse and kept hurting so decided to try cbd been on it now 18 months no problems and no pain. Remember it's legal. Completely up to you.

    Love Billy xxx 

  • Offline in reply to Billygoatt

    Hi Billy,

    You are always welcome to drop in! Sorry about your recent results, but great news about Bren's medication changes.  I'm sure you are handling your news with your usual determination and positivity, just try not to do more than your body wants you to do.

    My injections were done by my GP and he did a good job but I was told that I couldn't have it more than three times, so I am happy to wait until I really need it again. As I said the pain is very mild compared to how I was last Christmas.

    I have actually tried CBD OIl, my daughter takes it for her ME, and it really helps her, but I honestly didn't feel any better for it, so I don't take it any more. I'll just keep doing the exercises, which have really helped my walking and if the pain flares up In the night I will take a tablet. 
    Take care of yourself and best wishes to Bren.


    Christine xx

  • Offline

    Hi , I am 67 and underwent masectomy in Dec 2019. Unfortunately my cancer was in 2 lymph nodes underarm so there was a fear of it spreading. I was supposed to have 6 rounds of chemo but could only manage 3, it made me really unwell and I ended up in hospital with Neutropenia . I have since then had 3 weeks of radiotherapy, that has made my skin sore and burnt. The treatment is not nice but then it effects everyone differently and I was prepared to undergo everything to give me a chance of the cancer not returning which is my biggest fear. I am on Anastrazole hormone treatment for 5 years and so far no side effects. It can affect bones so I'm having Bisphosphanates intravenously, calcium tablets daily and a bone scan soon, so it is well monitored. It is a difficult decision but I am sure you will make the right decision for you with help from your medical team.

    Best wishes

    Silver 

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.