How much does age matter?

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WaveWhisperer
WaveWhisperer Member Posts: 898
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

I had a lumpectomy on 10/28 and meet with the medical oncologist for the first time tomorrow, to find out her recommendation for treatment -- chemo & radiation, or just radiation. I had 1 positive node out of 3 taken. I know that they take all sorts of things into consideration -- tumor size, bio markers, nodes and age -- when deciding treatment. Tell me about age. I'm 63, post-menopausal, of course. Are they likely to NOT recommend chemo because I'm considered "old" or feeble or not likely to withstand chemo or just not likely to live another 30 years anyway? I don't necessarily want chemo, but I do want the very best chance of beating this. I may be 63, but I feel about 40...oh, ok, maybe 50!

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited November 2011

    So sorry to hear about your diagnosis but you have come to the right place.  I am 61 and I have type 2 diabetes.  I just finished dose-dense chemo (AC/T) on 9/28.  You will NOT be considered old or feeble, trust me.  Because you had a positive node, you are likely to be recommended chemo.  Radiation will definitely be recommended because you had a lumpectomy and not a mastectomy.  None of this will be easy, but you'll likely be able to get through it. 

    Honestly, I don't think I had a tougher time than the younger ladies who did the same chemo during the same timeframe (there are monthly chemo threads so everyone who starts about the same time can share experiences).  There are no guarantees, of course, as everyone's experience with chemo is unique.  Just know that there are meds to help with every side effect except hair loss and fatigue.  I know - I took them all...lol!  I felt like a toxic waste dump for a few weeks.  But I am now almost 6 weeks past my final chemo, my strength is back, my hair is growing and I am off most of the meds I needed to get through chemo.

    Hugs,

    Michelle

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  • Mandalala
    Mandalala Member Posts: 162
    edited November 2011

    I am 49 and still considered "young" for a breast cancer patient – under 50, that is. The prognosis of younger patients is considered somewhat worse than that of older women. That is why younger women get more treatment. (I don't get chemo anyway as I have no positive nodes, but that's another story.)

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  • gentianviolet
    gentianviolet Member Posts: 316
    edited November 2011

    I was 69 at the time I was diagnosed and had 1 positive node.  My oncologist did an oncotypedx on my tumor and I came out an 11 (mid range in the lowest risk).  He therefore did not recommend chemo as he felt I had a higher percentage of risk for long term side effects than if I did an aromatase inhibitor for the next five years (I was ER+PR+HER2-).  I am now two years out and so far NED.  Ask about an oncotypedx, it will help you decide what you want to do.  Good luck and sorry you have to be here.......but you will get excellent advise from these forums.

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  • judyfams
    judyfams Member Posts: 148
    edited November 2011

    I was 67 when I was diagnosed with stage 1 IDC.  Lumpectomy and radiation.  Onco score of 20 and I decided to have chemo since the onco was in the intermediate range.

    I finished 6 rounds of taxotere/cytoxan and tolerated it very well.  I made sure to eat many small meals of lean protein and drink plenty of water and I really had no serious problems.  I was tired but made sure not to ignore that and rested when I felt too tired to do anything.

    You are not old and chemo is doable if you take care of yourself while on chemo.

    Judy

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  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited November 2011

    I was 62 when dx, now 65.   Dose dense A/C, then 12 weekly Taxol and herceptin, lumpectomy with clear margins and no node involvement.    Herceptin for a total of a year since I am Her 2 +++, but that does not apply to you.   However, you are er/pr positive, which puts another item into the equation.   

    There are so many factors in each person's diagnosis.   Write down all questions and make sure your oncologist takes the time you need to discuss and weigh the outcome.  Age is only one factor to take into account.   Your overall health - risk factor for heart damage from the chemo - is the one that I was most concerned about.   But they monitor that regularly and so far I am NED (no evidence of disease).        

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited November 2011

    Wave, unless you have other pre-existing conditions that would complicate things (which it doesn't sound like you do), someone in their early 60s is considered young by treatment standards.  And if you by any chance have a doctor whose words and actions aren't totally in line with that, absolutely find a different doctor. 

    Chemo (if you need it) might make you feel ancient for awhile, but it will pass, and you'll feel youthful again when you're on the other side of treatment.    

    Have you had an Oncotype-DX test, to ascertain if chemo will benefit you? (((Hugs)))  Deanna

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited November 2011

    I agree with gentianviolet, that an Oncotype Dx test would be helpful in making a decision. 

    Grade 3 is agressive and many women do get chemo but, if you have a low Onco Dx score, it may not be that beneficial for you. 

    Unless you have medical reasons to indicate against it, radiation is standard treatment with lumpectomy.   Sometimes it is not given to women over 70 because of age.

    You didn't mention taking hormonal treatment but, with ER+/PR+, going on an aromatase inhibitor (AI) would offer you some protection against recurrence.

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  • kal21
    kal21 Member Posts: 77
    edited November 2011

       I was 56 when DX.. same as you and my score was 20 and they said no to chemo,maybe it is the size mine was 0.09 CC.

    Everyone is treated different, like they say so many things to consider.

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  • peggy_j
    peggy_j Member Posts: 1,700
    edited November 2011

    My understanding is that the grade of the tumor makes a difference. Grade 1 is slow growing and benefits least from chemo. Grade 3 is faster growing and benefits more.

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  • WaveWhisperer
    WaveWhisperer Member Posts: 898
    edited November 2011

    Thank you all for your thoughtful replies. I have not had an Oncotype test, but will ask about it tomorrow, when I meet with the medical oncologist. I'll check in again after that.

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  • WaveWhisperer
    WaveWhisperer Member Posts: 898
    edited November 2011

    I met with the medical oncologist today, and she agreed (with all of you!!!) that the Oncotype test would be beneficial. She said some factors in my case favor no chemo (size tumor, ER+PR+, HER2 neg) but others might tip the scales in favor of chemo (Grade 3 and micromet in one node). She said the Oncotype score might help both of us decide the next course of action. She also agreed with those of you who said an aromatase inhibitor would be a necessary part of my treatment, as well as radiation, since I had a lumpectomy. So now we wait 2 weeks for the test score to come back. Thanks to all of you for your helpful questions and advice! 

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