Hello,
A family friend has just been diagnosed with secondaries in her spine, bones, lungs and the glands in her neck. The tumours are very small and they don’t think they have grown in the past 4 months.
She is 76 and has been told that there is no treatment that she can have as chemo would make her too ill. I’m just after a bit of advice for her. She obviously wants to be here as long as possible - see her grandchildren get married etc. I’m obviously not an expert but am surprised they haven’t offered her anything like hormone therapy or something to try and keep it at bay. I’m sure I also read a post a while ago by a lady in her 70s who was on a tablet-form chemo and wasn’t having many side effects.
My question is really whether she should push for a second opinion or whether this sounds “normal” treatment for a lady in her 70s. My immediate thought was to seek a second opinion as it sounds like she’s just being palmed off - but maybe it’s just normal procedure. Is there a more gentle chemo that she might benefit from? Would going back on hormone therapy help? (Her primary was 15 years ago and she took 5 years of Tamoxifen then).
Thank you for your help.
X
Hi Sandytoes,
It sounds to me like a 2nd opinion would be a good idea. Even if her primary was hormone positive it doesn’t mean that is the case now. Receptors can change with 2ndary diagnosis. There certainly are cases where older people are given chemotherapy but the decision not to do so may depend upon her general health.
Dawn
xx
Thank you. I worry that she wont be very forthcoming or pushy - which I’ve definitely been with my treatment. Just feel she’s being written off. She’s fit and feels well (it was only found out as a little nobule popped up behind her ear) with no pain. I’ll encourage her to get a second opinion. How do you go about that? Do you have to be referred by current onc or GP?
Sandy toes I’m on xeloda with very little se maybe that’s worth asking about its oral chemo but obviously with her age etc they prob don’t want to risk it there is a lady at the Marsden in her 90s on chemo I never understand the nhs gd luck anyway
Hi Sandy,
Yes she would need to see her GP for a second opinion. I sure there is treatment out there for your friend - everyone deserves a chance and to have the same options as everyone else. I know I don’t know your friends circumstance or medical but surely there should be some treatment for her.
I’m on Xeldoda which i an oral treatment apart from the foot/hand syndrome and fatigue I do most things.
Please let us know how she gets on - sending you both my very best wishes
Love
Chris xx
Hi Sandytoes
A relative of mine had mets in her 70s and obtained a second opinion via her first oncologist. She was then given chemo by the second oncologist (at the Royal Marsden). So, it is do-able, or at least it was a few years ago.
I’m also someone who pushes for the treatment I think I need but I know not everyone takes that view. You may need to accept that your friends will be resistant to being encouraged to push.
My best wishes to you both.
I am in my 60s and am on oral chemotherapy (and was on Femara and other hormone tablets when not on chemo). If it was me I would ask for a second opinion. Perhaps your family friend knows the options and has decided that she does not want to go through any treatment or is scared to do so. The Capecitabine chemo pis I take does not make your hair fall out. Dometimes people cannot face that. Hope this helps. Val