breast cancer and demeny

[Allywill]

sorry title should say breast cancer and dementia- cant edit. 83 year old mum with alzheimer’s has just been diagnosed with breast cancer (grade 3 tumour) that has spread to lymph nodes. awaiting ct scan to see if spread elsewhere. shes started the hormone blocker tablets. she doesnt seem to want mastectomy, but I’m not sure she really understands the implications of not having it. actually i’m not really sure of the implications myself tbh. will the tablet alone be sufficient? will the cancer get her before the alzheimer’s? is it better to die of breast cancer than suffer final stage Alzheimer’s? how brutal would surgery/recovery be? anyone got any advice?

The consultant will explain all her options to her, hopefully in a way she can understand. If she doesn’t have the mental capacity to understand and or decide about treatment then a ‘best interests’ decision will be made for her involving drs , social workers and family. Assuming that no one has Lasting power of attorney for her. If you do then you decide what option is best , again if she doesn’t have the mental capacity to understand and or decide.