Older Age Worsens Breast Cancer Prognosis

Medigal

I just read an article put on our Board concerning the above subject.  This really irritates me.  As if we needed more to be concerned about!  "OLD AGE" worsens ANY prognosis due to the AGE of the people!  If you read the small difference in those who have reoccurances who are elderly from younger ladies, you will see it is very small and not worth concerning us over.  They even take into account that it could be because we elderly don't get the full course of treatments as younger people.  Why not??   They  don't want to waste good drugs on people they think are going to just drop dead of something else anyway?  This article reminds me of what I was told when I got diagnosed in my 60's.  I asked what my chances of survival were and was told that I was SOOO lucky I got diagnosed in my 60's since cancer is less aggressive for the elderly and I would probably die of something else before it would return!!  OH JOY!  Now I am determined to make idiots of ALL who write these articles and live to be 200!!   I just finished over 8 1/2 years on Arimidex, did all the Chemo, rads and lumpectomy before that and if there was anything else they forgot to do then I will just come back as the meanest damn ghost and HAUNT them all!  I know they refused to give me Herceptin but that wasn't given to even the young unless you were already Stage IV so I can't haunt them for that.  But if they forget anything else, their butts are mine!   The great thing about being OLD is I can tick the heck out of any one I want and just blame it on "old age"!   Got to find something good about having painful bones!  I sure don't need to read these negative articles.  Any idiot can tell you that whatever we get when we are old is going to be more difficult for us because our body has aged and can't cope with a lot of drugs.  Boy would I love to have a meeting with the writer or writers of that article! 

Mods:  Anything else you want to post which can make the elderly on here feel even worse?  I sure have a long list of people to haunt these days!  Have a great evening to my elderly ladies.  To the young:  Booooooooo!

Infobabe

I'm with you.  I just got diognosed Stage 0 grade 1 and am being treated very aggressively.  Fortunately for me, I am not being disregarded because of my age which is 76.  I love these studies that say that people use the most medical care in the last year of their lives, like, what a waste. 

I wonder who writes garbage like that?  Probably someone age 25.

Butterfli312

God bless you for writing this post! That article is BS. My mother was diagnosed last Friday with IDC Stage 1 grade 1. She is 73. I agree 100% with everything you said. Blessings to you and your family!

dlb823

"Only 5% of the women 75 and older got adjuvant chemotherapy, whereas 48% of them had nodal involvement."

"While the reason for the findings wasn't clear from the trial, 'undertreatment, in particular undertreatment of either chemotherapy or radiotherapy, may explain age-specific outcome in this relatively healthy population,' the group suggested."

Wow!  Although the worse prognosis stats aren't that bad, it's still shocking to think that some doctors undertreat otherwise healthy women in their 60's strictly based on their age!       Deanna

GramE

Do I call myself lucky that I was only 62 when diagnosed, 4 years ago ???   This sounds like it comes from the same idiots at Medicare that are denying paying for Vitamin D3 blood work and PAP smear.   

dlb823

Another point is that this study came out of The Netherlands, so I'm wondering if the data they reviewed was all or mostly from Europe or the UK, where tx protocols and attitudes about age may be different than the US.  I've rarely heard of women here not offered chemo unless they are truly advanced in age (like in their late 80s), or have reallly complicating pre-existing health issues. Deanna

Cindyl

Well to be fair, I wonder how often treatment is offered, and refused.  I was talking to several "older" ladies at a barbecue the other day, all of them 70+, one a 5 year bc survivor (87 yo) and all agreed that they might agree to surgery, and maybe radiation, but no chemo.  Of course some people change their minds when it comes to a point, but I suspect patients sometimes make choices the aren't the best for long term outcomes.  I love these gals.  Well of course you needed to do more than I would. You're just a baby (51)

Kicks

I was 63 when DX'd IBC (Aug '09). I had always figured I'd live into my mid/late 90's and be as active as one G-Mom had and 3 GG Moms did. I still have that goal.



I was treated from the 'git-go' aggressively. Age was never mentioned. Iam/was very active and in better health than many, even younger ones. I had arthritis in upper back (been there for YEARS but no bother) and osteopenia (huge family hiistory).



We all make our own choices but I can't see me ever not doing everything offered to fight with. Do I want to got through TX again (didn't want to originally but that's what it took to live so I did. I'd do it again in a heartbeat if I need to to live. I'm a fighter and refuse to give up no matter what. Of course, the time will come when it is time to return home to my Heavenly Family and I will knowing I have lived the life I was here for.

Scottiee1

Hi everybody: I was 64 yrs when diagnosed and was a actually told by my MO that I was "young medically" , meaning that any and all forms of treatment would be discussed because "age" wasn't an issue. It's the first time in a LONG time to be told I am young ,

I am in Canada so don't know if there is a difference in attitude.

kira1234

My mom was 80 when diagnosed stage 3c I would guess. She received very aggressive treatment including chemo.

Anonymous

Picked this up from the Active List - I ignore most of those "studies" - suprised it was posted on BCO, but think it's all part of their attempt to promote web site visits - right up there with taking sponsorship from a dairy provider - still, they've got huge salaries to pay, so they have to, again, best to IGNORE those kind of "studies" - sensationalism at it''s worst.

nancyjac

What annoys is that all this money goes to meaningless studies that working oncologists tell their patients to ignore because they only produce mathmatical averages and statistics that aren't at all applicable to individual patients and BC survivors.  I don't think this any more true than studies based on age than it is on any other factor like geographical, race, genetics, etc. 

dogsandjogs

I was told  before my lumpectomy that if the sentinel node was "positive" would I agree to NOT have any further nodes taken out due to my age?

What?

What did he mean?  That it wouldn't do any good because I wouldn't live that long anyway. (I am 76)  or did he mean it would be pointless because the cancer was unlikely to go anywhere at a very fast rate?  Supposedly cancer takes longer to grow or metastisize when you are older. Supposedly---

dogsandjogs

I was told  before my lumpectomy that if the sentinel node was "positive" would I agree to NOT have any further nodes taken out due to my age?

What?

What did he mean?  That it wouldn't do any good because I wouldn't live that long anyway. (I am 76)  or did he mean it would be pointless because the cancer was unlikely to go anywhere at a very fast rate?  Supposedly cancer takes longer to grow or metastisize when you are older. Supposedly---

kira1234

dogsandjogs, There is a debate going on in the medical world if we should have more nodes removed or not. I think it is thought that we will be recieving chemo even if only 1 is involved. To make things even more up in the air if you ask me is that the Ocotype test is testing node+ people.

GraciousGal

I agree with you to some extent. However, decisions for treatment include the impact of side effects on our quality of life. I think (to give the medical community some credit) that is a significant reason to decrease the treatment severity based on age. Do you want to live longer with chemo side effects. . . or do you want to live better for fewer years. Bottom line: It should be a joint decision between patient and doctor - not just the doctor making that decision.

bonnets

Hi, just found these boards. I was diagnosed last week, IBC, ER/PR+, Her2 -. I am 69, luckily my DR, told me I am a 'young" 69:). I'm having a MRI today and waiting for BRCA testing to come back, to decide if we go DMX  or LMX. Don't feel I'd go for reconstruction.

My history includes having a daughter who was diagnosed at 27, passed at 33, ten years ago in Dec. I learned a lot with Amy, but it is still scary, esp. having lost her. I was quite active on the Webmd BC boards , when Amy had BC. Still have contact with many of those women, these boards also sound like a great place to be!

pip57

Bonnets, I too lost a daughter to cancer.  She was 16.  Watching her fight inspired me to give it all I could.  She definitely taught me  so much and was my inspiration during my darkest days.

I hope Amy inspires you in your fight too. 

bonnets

That too is a club  neither of us want to belong to. Yes Amy was a fighter , for 6 years. What angers me is the survival stats are based on 5 year survival, women like my daughter aren't counted. Greay to see you are doing well. 

dogsandjogs

My mother-in-law's cancer returned (in her bones) after 25 years. I got a new primary in my other breast 28 years after my original tumor. There is no rhyme or reason to cancer.

I am so sorry to hear about your ladies' daughters----

bonnets

I have always said it is there looking over your shoulder, though a lot of women don't think so. It is the reality. 

bonnets

Now Im having to fight my ins. company to cover the BRACA, even with my daughters hustory and my diagnosis! Grrrrr!

dogsandjogs

My surgeon was very honest with me. He said there is no cure for cancer. You may not die FROM it, but you will die WITH it.

So sorry you are having trouble with your insurance co. Makes no sense!

pip57

My mom also had bc.  So with the history of mom and my daughter they (Cnd gov't) did a genetic test on me.  Surprisingly, it was negative.

I hope you can get the test done...just for the knowledge that may help future relatives. 

bonnets

My BRACA came back negative. Hope my daughter will get tested , as she has 3 girls. I was able to get insurance coverage!

Di2012

Anyone on Medicare?   I am having a bi-lateral mastectomy with cancer in only one breast Dec 17, so the other breast is being taken  as a preventative or "matching" the lack of the other breast, with reconstruction of both in  about a month....I have tried to get an answer from Medicare, my surgeon's nurse tried also, but no one knows, I also have suplemental insurance, but I don't want to get stuck paying for one mastectomy....although my doctor reassures me it has never happened YET in her 25 year old practice.....and says I still will be staying one night in the hospital, using one hospital room, using one operating room, one assistant, one anesthesiologist.....ANYONE???

My primary care doctor is also very supportive of the decision as well as the surgeon for a bilateral mastectomy.

(When I was young and nursing my babies, my breast acted as a united system....with me having no choice to turn off the milk flow in ONE breast only)

Anonymous

Di2012~I'm on Medicare. I'm 62, and have been disabled for 19 years. My husband lost his job a while back, so no major medical. That happened 3 days after my diagnosis. Before that Medicare was my secondary.



I can't answer the question as far as prophylactic mastectomy, but I started chemo on Friday, the whole time being told I was getting the Neulasta shot the day after each Adria/cytoxan, to keep my white blood cell count up, but when I went for treatment, they told me, I won't be getting it unless it really proves necessary. I think it's because of Medicare, but who knows.



Blessings

Paula

LRM216

Sure glad I had surgeons and oncologists that felt I still had a whole lotta loving and living to do when I was diagnosed 4 years ago at age 62.  My onc suggested and prompted me to go as aggressively as possible with my treatment, knowing full well I was a widow, raising my teenage grand-daughter and working full time.  So glad that I did it and had the encouragement I had from my docs.  They never once made me feel "old" - not then, and not now

chasingdreams

glad I found this thread!!

My mom, age 76, has recently been dx with ILC...

She would be most comfortable with a BMX,

unfortunately per Surgeon she met with today, Medicare apparently will not cover removal of the 2nd breast!!

and!!

it was hinted at in a previous conversation with a local breast advocate that the local oncologist she was going to be seeing (she would be seeing this Onc post-op as she will be coming to LA,CA for Surgical tx and perhaps anything after as well), ok, so it was said- that the Onc is particularly good with "older patients" and doesn't just recommend chemo to them, he takes their "age" into consideration!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*I loved everything I heard from this advocate- but this! She herself is awesome. I've heard the Onc is amazing and know many Ca pts (not breast) who speak highly of him.... First time I heard this.

Her local Surg today said she is in very good health! No heath problems (she is approx 40#overwt but not hugely obese), that she is a young 76! However, he did also mention that her age would come into consideration when chemo etc is discussed- if it is even needed. but that she would have the disc with her oncologist....

He THEN also said, he had done a BMX on an 87yo gal, who also had the Plastic Surgeon step in for immed breast reconstruction with implants etc!!! That woman is 98 now!

*remember all, age is but a number!

maltomlin

Hi

I'm form the UK so medicare is unheard of here.

I'm very split on this. My father was dx with cancer at 80. He was so fit, never ill, had no pre-existing conditions and went onto chemo. He couldn't cope with it and they reduced the dose. He still couldn't cope with it. The cancer spread and he died. They did everything they possibly could, but it didn't help. His age was against him. Whether you like it or not, age does have some bearing on our ability to tolerate the treatments.

I was 56 at dx and was waiting for my results. Getting frantic, I phoned, and was told by a nurse 'oh you've got a young women's cancer'. It was grade 3 (and aggressive) and initially I was pleased until I read reviews.

I agree that age shouldn't come into it, but it does. I know through my Dad's last days that they don't fight to keep elderly alive. But what age is elderly? 50, 60, 70 or 80?

meghar

Hi my mom is 86, met with breast surgeon and medical oncologist yesterday. The med onc said that all options were on the table and her age was not an issue, she would just have to decide what treatments she would consider based on risks, side effects etc. My mom's 85 neighbor called to wish her well and mentioned she'd had a lumpectomy a couple of years ago and it was much easier than her recent knee replacement. I guess I do not think that people in their 60s and 70s are "elderly" --although there are certainly elderly-seeming 55 year olds and fit & active 80 year olds...I think the individual's medical fitness should decide what treatments they can tolerate.  A frail 75 year old will probably fare worse than a robust 85 year old. After 85, everyone is weaker than they were in their youth but one would think that the "older elderly" are already ahead of their actuarial table life expectancy (if looked at when they were born), so it is reasonable to think that they have something that makes them a survivor in general.  Research has shown that the elderly have similar prognosis to younger women when given the full complement of treatment, so the headline of this topic is too simplistic. We've met with a few doctors and they have all said that they have "tons" of patients in their 80s and 90s and they do very well -my mom asked "do you ever operate on women my age?" and the answer is always "All the time!"...so if you are older, be optimistic.