Birth year in our signature lines??

Rocky,



I've often thought the same thing. Age is part of the picture. It's not the biggest piece but it does give us a reference point. There are threads where someone will seek advice considering treatments, medications, surgeries and it does help to know if you're responding to a 30 year old anticipating her fertility options, breastfeeding, etc or a 70 year old post-menopausal grandmother or someone inbetween.



Of course there are so many other factors that are often not revealed that give me pause when responding to someone.

I've often thought this. I am always looking at people's signatures and comparing their diagnoses and treatment to mine. It'd be helpful to know also whether they're a similar age to me.

This is the reason that my year of birth is in my avatar name! Great idea.

I was dx at age 69...it makes a big difference....i chose no 5 yr.meds only cause of the age factor.

I agree with Rockym on posting the age or birth year as it makes a huge difference in some women's treatment choices and decisions.  I was diagnosed at 53, they kept telling me I was young for a breast cancer patient (which was about the only thing that made me smile at the time.)  My neighbor was 72 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer 6 years ago.  Her Drs. debated whether to give her chemotherapy or not and decided not on account of her age.  It may also help us understand if the side effects we are experiencing are from treatment or, just maybe, because we have reached a certain age.

I agree with chrissyb. Age at diagnosis, in my opinion, is more relevant.  I put mine in my signature line.

Good suggestion, Rockym. Love all you ladies; I'm always learning something new on these boards.

We have this on our wishlist for a future site update, and in the meantime adding your age at diagnosis to your signature will give that info to others if you choose to share the information (go to My Profile at the top of any page, then the Settings tab, edit your signature, and be sure it's marked Public).

• The Mods

Age at dx would be helpful for those that don't mind posting it, but posting a whole birthdate could be dangerous. Date of birth is the first question they ask to find me at my treatment center.

The age thing has more to do with pre or post menopause for treatment choices right? Maybe just have a 'code' for that to put in our dx lines. 

No one is suggesting that showing age at diagnosis (or age, for that matter) would be required in any way. We strongly encourage members to protect their identifying information on this site, and online in general.

Privacy & Security Tips

I totally agree!  I do think age can be a huge factor in decision making.  Not only in menopausal issues (anti-hormonals) but surgery, chemo and rads and so many other related concerns.

I do see some people may have it on their profile if you click on their name. I think the entire internet has potential for fraud, not just if our age is listed on BCO.  I am sure it would be optional, but nice if just birth year or age had a place somewhere on signature line/Dx area. 

I find it interesting how we talk about so many private things here (mastectomies, nipples or lack there of, reconstruction, chemo side effects ect.) and I think age is not that difficult to disclose (at least for me at this point!)

Thanks Rocky for bringing it up and thanks mods for being open to new ideas.

Sara 

PS I am 50

Not sure what the Hoopla is about. People are already free to write in their age at dx. I have privacy concerns too.Yes, it would not be required, but when people have the opportunity of entering personal information they frequently do so without assessing the consequences.

Lee and Rocky I totally agree with you.  I think it is just one more piece of information and may help someone relate to someone else's diagnosis/situation even more.  I am not thinking that by reveling my age, fraudulent activity is any more of a risk.

 @Chrissy♥ 

Yes!