Question reg. cancer + age

danielli1008
danielli1008 Member Posts: 4
edited June 2014 in Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
Question reg. cancer + age
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  • danielli1008
    danielli1008 Member Posts: 4
    edited July 2009

    Today I went to the doctor with my grandmother and they doctor explained that she must get rid of her left breat in order to avoid radiation. After the tumor is removed, she would have to take some estrogen based pill everyday for 5 years to prevent the cancer from spreading. Would this pill make her sick or weak? My main concern is that she is 83! She had hard time moving around due an stretched ligament in her hip. Also, she has smoked for over 50 years. She is a tough cookie but I guess what I'm trying to ask is, what is recovery like for someone this age, and is it really worth it? She has never listened to a single doctor, nor has she ever taken meds or had any surgeries. Another concern is that she is developing serious memory loss and I've heard that certain experiences can onset it. My grandmother tends to let others make decisions for her, b/c she is pretty low functioning. Basically, I just need advice. My father seems to believe that this will be aeasy procedure, so I am just trying to do my research.

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited July 2009

    danielli ~  It might be a good idea to get a second opinion.  Is the doctor your grandmother is seeing at a major cancer center?  The reason I'm asking is, I think your grandmother would be best off where they see the most breast cancer, which usually means a large, university teaching hospital.  I'm thinking that because not all doctors always agree on the best course of treatment for any woman, you want to go where they see the most women, which means they will have more experience with women your grandmother's age.  

    As far as a mastectomy being an easy surgery, your father is somewhat right about that, because they're not going into your body cavity.  On the other hand, there are probably special considerations for an 83-year old long-time smoker, and you just want to be sure her medical team is very experienced with breast cancer patients her age.   

    I think it's wonderful that you're seeking information to help support her through this.  I hope you'll stay on this website and keep us posted on your grandmother's progress ~   Deanna

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  • spar2
    spar2 Member Posts: 6,827
    edited July 2009

    I agree with Deanna, lots of dr's will not operate if you smoke because smokers do not heal as well or fast as non-smokers.  Sometimes on older people who smoke being put to sleep is too big of a risk.  I would get a second opinion.  Wishing you the best and will be very interested in how it goes.  Keep us posted.  hugs, sherry

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  • Mouser
    Mouser Member Posts: 245
    edited July 2009

    I agree -- get a 2nd opinion at a place where they see lots of bc. Preferably one where they think about what to do, not just follow the leader. There is a lot of discussion about the best way to treat bc in older women, especially when they have other health problems, and your grandmother should get the benefit of those considerations!

    That said, my 95 yr old aunt has been on Femara for about 4 yrs now -- since she got a blood clot in her lungs from tamoxifen. She had a mastectomy at 70, and they put her on the hormones after a recurrence at 87, which they treated with rads (it was on her spine). She's had no more recurrences, and as far as i know, no side effects from Femara.

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  • makingway
    makingway Member Posts: 799
    edited July 2009

    I smoke and I had a mastectomy and reconstruction without any problems. I recently read you can have surgery without having a general anesthesia, but I don't know of any who have done this. I don't know what pill the doctor is suggesting your Grandmother to take. Usually they prescribe Tamoxifen for people who haven't began menopause. Then they switch to an Aromatase Inhibitor after menopause. And they do have side effects for a lot of people. You can do a search on this website by clicking on the 'search' link at the top right hand corner of this page. Put Aromatase inhibitor in the search box and click. You'll find lots of information on this website. Your Grandmother is lucky to have you helping her with her care.

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  • spar2
    spar2 Member Posts: 6,827
    edited July 2009

    Wow, Mouser, that is amazing about your aunt, what a miracle. 

    makingway, glad you came through everything ok. 

    Your grandmother is very lucky to have you be there for her.  God bless.

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  • mawhinney
    mawhinney Member Posts: 1,377
    edited August 2009

    An active  84 yr. old friend recently had a lumpectomy and did radiation afterwards with no side effects. She is now taking Femara, an amoratase inhibitor. Aromatase inhibitors are used for estrogen positive tumors and help prevent one's body from producing estrogen. 

    The size, location, and type of cancer plus general health will determine whether a lumpectomy or a mastectomy is best for your grandmother.

    I would definitely seek a 2nd opinion at a large cancer center that treats many women in your grandmother's age group so she can get the best possible care. 

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