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A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭

I'm 88 yrs old and recently diagnosed with IDC, 3x positive, grade 3 cancer. I've lived a good life. My oncologist wants to put me on Taxol, Herceptin and Arimidex after my lumpetomy. That seems like overkill for my age. If I were 20 years younger, I'd do it all, but I'd rather have a good quality of life than my last years be sick. I don't like the side effects for these medicines. Can done of you weigh in with your thoughts, please?

April 17
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Answer Summary

Members rallied around an 88-year-old navigating a new IDC diagnosis and weighing whether aggressive treatment was right for her age and... Read more

Members rallied around an 88-year-old navigating a new IDC diagnosis and weighing whether aggressive treatment was right for her age and quality of life. Several members shared personal experiences with Taxol, Herceptin, and aromatase inhibitors, and offered helpful options like IORT radiation and lower-dose hormone therapy, while an oncology nurse navigator encouraged making the most of life regardless of the path chosen. A recurring theme was that each person has the right to make their own treatment decisions, and the original poster later shared that her lumpectomy went well and she started radiation with no side effects.

A MyBCTeam Member

DebbiCole, I feel your point of view. You have lived a full life and want your last years to be of a good quality. Only you have autonomy to make that decision, but I hope you include your family and physician in the decision.
My father chose a path to forgo medical treatment in his 80's.
I spent some time with him in May 2023.He was fit,vibrant, articulate,drove his car, tended his garden and worked out in his home gymn.Three weeks later he passed ,a month shy of his 90th Birthday.
While I was very sad about his passing,I respected his decision to live his life on his own terms.
I hope you have honest and open dialogue with your doctor and loved ones to make a well informed decision.Whatever your decision is , I also hope you have the support and encouragement you need.
Prayers and hugs coming your way.

April 20
A MyBCTeam Member

I personally would want to have a lumpectomy, I would need to know cancer is gone so I could move on in life. Other than that I would take no convectional therapy. I would only take Ivermectin and mebendazole (no side effects) and go on with life. Hugs and good luck with your decision ❤️

April 18
A MyBCTeam Member

Last May, at age 86, I was diagnosed with TNBC. It was early and small, no axillary node involvement. My medical oncologist wanted me to have chemotherapy, radiation, and a PARP inhibitor. After a lot of thought and research, I refused the chemo. While I could sense that she was disappointed, after the lumpectomy, I had a month of daily radiation. I actually felt better during that period than I had in a long time. Although I was willing to try the PARP inhibitor, since I have the BRCA-2 genetic mutation, I was refused it, since the research on it was only done post-chemo. I do not regret my decision, choosing quality of life at my age. So far, 11 months out,all tests and screening have come back clean. These decisions have to be respected, because there are so many variables to consider in each of our lives. Never allow yourself to feel intimidated by a medical professional. We partner with them, not always yield to them. They can provide us with the best information available, but they do not live our lives in our bodies.

April 28
A MyBCTeam Member

My mother is 93, and we have had this conversation. She is still in very good health- she lives with my brother, they get up and cook breakfast together, depending on the weather, she may walk with him to walk the dog. She still does her housework, he does the yardwork. She has said she has told the doctors no more on the mammo and colonoscopy- if something happens- and some day it will, so be it. She has enough appts anyway! I can respect that. She has had several bouts with skin cancer so has to be checked every few months.

April 18
A MyBCTeam Member

Interesting, we were just talking about this at work the other day.
I am thinking I will stop getting colonoscopies and Mammograms around 90. What is the benefit/ risk? I do think I would hit a point where I would say no treatment, but that is hypothetical. Easy to be an arm chair quarterback.

I had Taxol for triple negative breast cancer, I thought it was not bad at all. Although I had it at 54, not 88.

Good luck on your decision!

April 18

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