Women in their 70's with a first time dx of breast cancer

Joyus--I was 71 at diagnosis and turned 72 midway through rads, 2+ years ago. Happy to share with you!

Hi Joyus-I'm not 70 but close enough at 67. I was diagnosed in August 2014, lumpie in September, finished rads in December, and started Tamoxifen in January. I'd be pleased to be included and share whatever I can.

Hi,

I was 70 when diagnosed in Nov.2009. Click my name to get more information.Awaiting to finish Aromasin in April.

All the best

Slousha

I'm so happy I found your post.  I was thinking I would never find anyone my age.  I am 76 (birthday 3 days ago).  Dx is a mixed tumor DSIC with scattered invasive cells.  All cells are Grade 3.  ER and PR neg.  Waiting for HER2.  Had lumpectomy three weeks ago.  Margins were close, so having a re-excision and sentinel node dissection Monday.  What scares me to death is the possible triple negative or HER2 positive.  Don't know which is worse.  I think my treatment options won't be many because of my age.  I am totally healthy with the exception of this BC.

I had my BMX 03/17/16, the day before I turned 71. My diagnosis was a complete surprise. I'd missed Mammos for 3 years because the OB/GYN I'd been seeing for several years retired without letting her patients know.
When my PCP sent me with the script for my Mammo in October, 2015 I was called back for a second one because of '..a microscopic suspicious area...'. That was the beginning of my BC journey.
I have TEs & will start chemo very soon. I'm frightened about the side effects.

Hi Cherylista,

I don't post often but do keep track of a few sites - this being one of them. I was diagnosed with TN 2 months before my 67th b-day, so very near you in age. An excellent website you may want to check out is Calling all TNs under the Triple-Negative Breast Cancer forum. Here's a link https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/72/topics...

Also excellent advice from the Mods to join on the Chemo - Before, During and After for the month you begin chemo.

As you can see from my sig I had a LX, followed by 6 months of heavy duty chemo, followed by 7 weeks of rads. I was, and continue to be, a very active person, and chemo & rads did not stop me. I managed to exercise, albeit at a lower level, every single day through chemo & rads. In fact, there are studies that tell you that you will do better on chemo if you can exercise (to the extent that is possible for you). Throughout the 12 weeks of weekly Taxol, I iced both my hands and feet with 2 sets of Elasto Gel gloves & booties (eventually covered by my secondary BC/BS--my primary is Medicare). There is at least anecdotal evidence that this icing may/will prevent neuropathy. I never had a hint of it. I think that generally older women have an easier time w/chemo than younger women. That was certainly true for me. I wasn't looking forward to chemo, but went into it grateful that there was something out there that could fight this ugly beast! I never got sick or nauseated, not once. I did have some side effects (some skin issues toward end of AC, some gum and mouth issues, lost a few toenails--hint--throughout chemo - do not wear tight shoes - get tennis shoes half a size larger than you usually wear). Other than that, I went to the gym, did weights, elliptical (treadmill at home--again at a LOWER pace), took yoga & pilates classes. It kept my spirits & my body "up" and made me feel positive and good.

Oh - you will also find that some things you used to love don't taste as great anymore, but that will revert. I experimented and found things that were tasty to me during the time in chemo when my taste buds were altered.

Best of luck to you! Please PM me if you want.

Paula

Hi, ladies. Just found this thread as I spend more time awake in the middle of the night. I was only 69 as I went through my testing but 70 by the time of my biopsy and diagnosis. It seems so odd to even type that as I don't feel anywhere near my age (but what is 70 supposed to feel like?). My LX and SNB went just fine (on March 31) but I'm in a lot of discomfort now. I found that sitting with a little pillow under my arm helps. Waiting for a referral to the RO and MO. My surgeon said I'll have radiation. I've got a lot of living left to do - my grandson turns 1 today!

Hope you're all doing well.

MJ