I'm 76 Jus Diagnosed

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Cathytoo
Cathytoo Member Posts: 667

I think I might be the oldest woman here.  Just diagnosed Stage 1 Grade III.  Sentinel node biopsy next week.  I don't have ONE other health problem.  I am feeling better and more active than 15 years ago.  I don't have an oncologist yet, but really hope my treatment won't be less because of my age.  That scares me more than anything!

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  • tgtg
    tgtg Member Posts: 266
    edited December 2015

    Cathytoo--You've got me beat by just 5 years (I was diagnosed at 71), but otherwise we're alike--perfectly healthy, active, and fit. Take heart, though--being in good shape should get you through treatment with relative ease, and allow you (with your surgeon's blessing, of course) to return to activity sooner than others may feel up to it. I found walking the treadmill at a brisk pace (and outside too) a real stress-reliever just two days after surgery, and also noticed that the endorphins released by the exercise eliminated the minimal discomfort after surgery.

    As for your fear of lesser treatment, that should not be a factor unless your doctors are total neanderthal who hasn't figured out that 70 is the new 50. If he (or less likely, she) does try to short you on treatment, go find replacements for them fast!

    At 74, I am even more active than before diagnosis, and rarely think about the disease except briefly when it is time for a mammo or doctor visit, and those inconveniences I see as my first line of defense (detection) against a possible recurrence or new cancer and as ways of being reassured that I am fine. Life, especially at our age, is too short anyway (statisticians say we should survive to 86, right?) to be spent obsessing about what might happen after treatment.

    Good luck as you move through treatment--you'll do fine! Think positive--after all, you dodged the b.c. bullet for so many years already! Trudi

  • DeltaLady
    DeltaLady Member Posts: 23
    edited December 2015

    Diagnosed at 72. It was a 9 month nightmare and I woke up in somebody else's body, but feel better every day. I went through the stages of grief - anger lasted a while. More discomfort than "they" tell you about. I live in Canada so only had 16 rad. treatments. Not too bad in terms of physical symptoms - just very inconvenient to go every day, as it was a 4 hour return trip. I ended up staying in a cancer lodge for 8 nights of the 16.

    You will get through this, but it takes time and you need to take care of you. (I am caregiver to my husband who has stage 4 pancreatic cancer, which doesn't help with stress issues). Give yourself permission to be afraid, angry, all of that, but also remain positive.

    Delta Lady




  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 667
    edited December 2015

    Just learned that I am triple negative.  Can't even believe it.  What began as 100% cure rate (accordingly to my surgeon) now looks very grim to me.  In two days I will have a re-excision because of close margins and a sentinel node dissection.  But, what really has me terrified is the triple negative.  I'm trying very hard to stay positive.  It's difficult.

  • Gohan1983
    Gohan1983 Member Posts: 62
    edited December 2015

    My grandma 78 was diagnosed 2 years ago. It doesn't really true that older women has always more indolent breast cancer subtypes. My grandma has very aggresive subtype, despite highly ER and PR positivity, called invasive micropapillary carcinoma. Among patients over 70 years old Luminal A occurs in frequency about 50%, Luminal B 30%,HER-2 enriched and basal-like subtype both about 10%. Cathytoo, did you think about adjuvant chemo (capecitabine monotherapy or TC)?

  • lscrivy
    lscrivy Member Posts: 10
    edited January 2016

    Hi Ladies,

    My mom is 78 and was diagnosed ... on Dec 23- Merry Christmas to us :( ... with invasive Mammary Carcinoma, mixed ductal and lobular (but predominately lobular?). We know it is grade 2 but dont know stage or receptor status yet. Labs results not reported yet. She has NOT yet had surgery or any treatment at all, for that matter. We are newbies seeking recommendations. Considering MDACC and Moffit. We live in Alabama but will go just about anywhere for her to receive the best treatment. She has COPD but is fairly active. Dont want her under-treated because of her age, but at the same time, she is very worried about quality of life issues and is afraid that this is "the beginning of the end". Any and all recommendations and advise would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance ~!, Also, Cathytoo, I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I wish you all the best.

  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited January 2016

    I believe our inimitable “duckyb" is in her 80s--and dancing up a storm at families and weddings. And my former office mgr. was diagnosed (ER+/PR+/HER2-, IDC) at 80. She had lumpectomy but no radiation--will probably be on an AI for the rest of her life. No side effects except for, as she puts it, her “own personal summer.”

    As far as triple-negative, it is true that it is aggressive and carries a high risk of early recurrence; but because rapidly-dividing cells are the most vulnerable to chemo, after five years cancer-free its survival rate compares favorably to that of hormone+/HER2- cancers--in fact, it’s more likely to be “cured."

  • lscrivy
    lscrivy Member Posts: 10
    edited January 2016

    hi ChiSandy,

    Thank you for your response. It will certainly share that information with my mom - it will do my mom good to hear it.

    I'm not yet familiar with Al, is that a form of chemo?

    I hope that you are doing well in your recovery.

    Thank you again.


  • darlenebartlett
    darlenebartlett Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2016

    Hi I am 75 had lumpectomy, stage 1, but I do have MS, and asthma with a low immune system. Eat healthy, doing well until this BC occurred!..I have read the risks of radiation, to the lungs and heart even 10 yrs. after. Also the fatigue I want the next yrs to be quality yrs. Thinking of not going any further with radiation. Also the pill could cause more intense pain in my joints from the MS. .I just want to get over all this discomfort and get back to" my normal"!! Dealing with the MS and asthma, is enough!! Darlene

  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited January 2016

    “AIs," or aromatase inhibitors, while adjuvant therapy, are not “chemo” in the sense that term is commonly used. Along with tamoxifen and ovarian suppression, they’re usually called “hormone therapy,” though more correctly they should be referred to as “endocrine therapy” because they are aimed at either thwarting estrogen’s access to ER+ tumors or preventing the body from producing estrogen. (After menopause, even after ovaries have stopped making estrogen, the enzyme called aromatase converts the hormones made by fat cells and adrenal glands into estrogen; AIs prevent aromatase from doing so). Without access to estrogen, such tumor cells either die or at least can’t grow. (Calling them “hormone therapy” is confusing, because many people mistakenly believe we’re being given hormones, when in fact the opposite is the case. Since the parts of the body that produce hormones comprise the endocrine system, it should be called “endocrine” or at least “anti-hormone” therapy).

  • dottyrobin
    dottyrobin Member Posts: 9
    edited July 2016

    I too am 71 and still active. LPN but only part time. Also primary caregiver to my spouse with ALZ. Will see surgeon on Aug 3. Good luck to you and I will keep in touch. Prayers!

  • gab34
    gab34 Member Posts: 5
    edited August 2016

    I am glad to find this forum.  I was diagnosed at 80.  Had lumpectomy in 2015 followed by 21 radiation treatments.  I started taking tamoxifen in January 2016, but I'm afraid we don't get along very well (love/hate relationship).  I get very bad headaches, weakness, some dizziness.  There are some days when I find it hard to complete my daily tasks.  I did go off it for a while earlier in the year, and started feel better.  Went back on it and the side effects surfaced again.  Will be seeing my oncologist in a couple of weeks and hopeful we can try some other options.

  • tgtg
    tgtg Member Posts: 266
    edited August 2016

    hi-- I was 71 when diagnosed in 2012, and am now over 3 and a half years past surgery, and all is well. In fact, just got back down to 8000 feet after hiking up to 11,000 feet! This diagnosis is not necessarily the end of the world!

    Gab34--I declined doing any hormonal therapy from the very beginning, given my favorable stats and my age, and met no opposition from the MO and had great support from the BS and RO, both of whom monitor me very carefully. If I get a recurrence, .i'll deal with i if or when it happens

  • Faith-840
    Faith-840 Member Posts: 995
    edited September 2016


    Hello everyone, I was first diagnosed at age 50 back in 1991. Had surgery, chemo, 5yrs of tamoxifen. On Jan. 4 of this year they found the BC had metastized to my left lung. I just had my 76th birthday. My onc. told me I was lucky because there are so many treatments now and because it took 25 yrs. to return. I said I didn't need to live to be 90. He said to ask him again when I'm 89. I am on the new drug. Ibrance and letrozole. It's not a cake walk but I'm managing to live a fairly normal, active life.

    Faith (in the future)

  • Sara536
    Sara536 Member Posts: 7,032
    edited September 2016

    Hey, check this out:

    Medscape/Risks of Breast Cancer Screening in Women 70-Plus

    I haven't fully digested this article yet but it is clear to me that we have to advocate for ourselves whether it be because we might receive inferior treatment because of our age or, on the other hand, be over-treated because studies often do not include the over 70's and treatments are often designed based on studies of younger women.
  • TimeForCure
    TimeForCure Member Posts: 20
    edited September 2016

    Thanks for posting this! Can you post the actual full link? I googled but didn't find the match to yours.

    Thanks!

  • ageless0901
    ageless0901 Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2017

    I was 75 when I was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma in one breast. Decided to have breast removed, my test results were all good there fore not needing chemo or radiation. I had my mamo's every year, but have dense breast, so maybe it got overlooked for a year as it was stage 2 when found. I was lead to believe by the surgeon that he would test lymph nodes and if they were clean he would not remove any, but for some reason, I ended up with 14 nodes removed and they ALL were clean!! This has been my worst problem since surgery. The lymph edema and pain and discomfort under the arm pit After 2 years, it is still there.The anti-hormone medication is Anastrozole. I have gained about 6 lbs in 2 years, very uncomfortable in my belly area. I am not a big eater, however the weight seems to continue. I lack the energy to exercise, but walk when I can outside. I also have osteoarthritis and heart condition, the meds slow me down. The point being here is that it could have been worse for me like a lot of other women. I looked at it as being lucky I got by so easy. My suggestion is keep a positive attitude about it all and try to get through each day one day at a time. As for me I do not fear the diagnosis of getting it in the other breast, I worry about not being able to live out my life in such a manner to help my Son who is fighting depression and anxiety every day of his 46 year old life. I worry I won't be here to support him as he grows older. I think we all have crosses to bear in life, but sometimes it is hard to carry that cross. I try to put faith in God that he will be there for us as we go forward. I had to leave my home and life that I knew on the east coast to move to AZ for support system from my sister - and I do regret that as I have not been able to adjust to that more than my cancer journey. She condems me all the time about not being able to adjust the new life, but she has not walked in my shoes. My Best Wishes on your Journey!!! keep positive!!

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