Does anyone know what is the normal procedure for treating breast cancer in an 85 year old. My mother also has alzheimers and is very frail and has now just been diagnosed with BC. Does anyone know what treatment they offer - as I do not think she would be able to cope with normal rads or chemo.
I have had breast cancer two years ago and I know there is no way that she would cope with any treatment other than tamoxifen.
The doctors are deciding what to do but I thought I would ask if anyone else has any views.
Also how common is it to be diagnosed at this age?
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The mother of someone I know got BC in her late eighties and was also very frail and in the end the doctors in conjunction with her family decided it was best to offer no treatment other than palliative care and eventually pain relief. They were told it would be very slow growing because of her mother’s age and that she might well die from something else before the BC could cause death.
My aunt was a fairly fit 77yr old and was given mastectomy, rads and tamoxifen despite having a very large lump.They told her that chemo would be counter productive at her age.
My old friend was 78, I think, when she had her breast cancer. She had operation (can’t remember whether it was lumpectomy or mastectomy), rads and tamoxifen. Couldn’t have chemo despite having lymph node involvement, as she already had heart disease. That was 10 years ago - she is now 88and still cares for herself. I think it must depend a lot on individual circumstances how much treatment they offer.
Hi,
a cousin in law’s Mum has had a BC recurrence in her mid 80s and is just having hormone tablets as they say it will grow so slowly. No rads as already had them first time.
Lots of luck
Lily
Sorry your mum is going through the mill.
My grandmother had a mastectomy in her early 80s and lived for a few years after. Not sure what other treatments she had, she did not live in the UK so did not see her often. Not much help really, it is you having to decide whats best for her, can be a tough call. Alice