Chemotherapy in elderly

Hi  everyone. My lovely mum has been diagnosed with a Her2 positive ER/PR neg tumour T2aN0 and has underwent a mastectomy and recovering well at 80 from it. She is  good for her age filly independent shopping gardening etc and has had a discussion regarding options of no treatment, or chemo ( paclitaxel) and Herceptin . She is undecided and so are the rest of us as a family with moments of yes definately take it to more concern regarding side effects and maintaining quality of life and really worried she wont return back to her baseline . The two biggest worries she has would be the chemo brain and cognitive function not returning and peripheral neuropathy.  I want her to have a longer life with retained quality but we are scared of which direction is the right one.

Would live to hear of others who either they themselves or others in their families have had chemotherapy in their 80s and how they have found it. 

Thankyou all 

  • Hello Lisalilly, 

    I am sorry to hear about your mum's diagnosis but I am pleased that she is recovering well from her mastectomy and that she is keeping active. It's a very difficult decision to have to make and I hope that you will be able to discuss your mum's options at great length with her medical team and to ask any question you may have in mind. 

    Hopefully you will hear from the accounts of others on the forum who have had chemotherapy in their 80s or supported a loved one who has had to have chemotherapy at around that age. You are also welcome to give our cancer nurses a call on this free number 0808 800 4040 if you would like to talk things through with them - their line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. 

    I hope your mum keeps well and continues to be active and enjoying her gardening in this nice weather. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator