Just diagnosed with breast cancer at 78, what to expect

[jenkel]

My mum has just been diagnosed with breast cancer at 78, is a small hormonal one, they are doing a lumpectomy and removing 4 lymph nodes, no chemo, possibly radiotherapy and tablets. She has a pacemaker fitted, I know everybody is different but just wondering if anybody’s else’s parents have been through similar at a similar age. Everybody seems to be very positive about the expected outcome.

[sorepaw1]

So sorry to hear this. My mother had a different cancer (hysterectomy to resolve, no chemo needed) and she is fit and well 10 years later. You dont always hear about the good stories and its important to
Share them. Aside from the fact a hysterectomy obviously has a recovery time, i think the mental strain and worry was the biggest impact. I say this because even when people are very positive about the outcome it's still devastating news for all involved at the time. Its great they are so positive, best wishes to you all xx

[EmotionalBlackmail]

They often grow very very slowly if diagnosed in someone elderly, just because cell reproduction is so much slower than in someone younger. So probably good, especially if all of it can be removed with surgery. My relative was diagnosed with a different cancer at a similar age, had treatment, joined day hospice activities for well over a decade(!), learning all sorts of new hobbies and eventually died of something else (not
cancer) in his mid-90s!
Obviously the surgery and treatment can be more debilitating though.

[LarkRize]

My DM had breast cancer diagnosed in her early 80s. Mastectomy and now on letrozole but no further treatment. She has done well - TBH her hip replacement caused more issues and was a slower recovery. Good luck to you both but a good outcome is likely.

[ithinkthatmaybeimdreaming]

My late DM was diagnosed at 76. She had surgery to remove the lump- her first time in hospital - and no chemo or radiotherapy, she was on a tablet for a while. She recovered well and was fine afterwards. She died at 89, of something unrelated. Best of luck to your DM.

[Tessisme]

My mum was diagnosed with breast cancer at 74. She had a lumpectomy, lymph node removal, chemo, radiotherapy and a year of Herceptin. I was an absolute wreck when she was diagnosed, but soon got swept along in all the hospital appointments and it all became very routine and familiar. We used to joke about pitching a tent in the hospital car park, we were there so often. But she recovered exceptionally well and died of a stroke 16 years later.

Best wishes to you and your mum.

[Geekylover]

My. Mum had DCI breast cancer at 80, two lumpectomies and a mastectomy and did well and no recurrence. She’s now 85 with other heath issues but the cancer seems clear so far. X

[Growlybear83]

My mum was diagnosed with high grade DCIS in two areas of the same breast when she was 85 and chose to have a mastectomy rather than lumpectomies. She didn't need chemotherapy or radiotherapy and her cancer wasn't hormone sensitive so she didn't need hormone therapy either. The treatment she got was amazing, and at every subsequent checkup she was offered reconstruction, which she didn't want, but she did have a couple of minor corrective operations to tidy up her scar and release some tethering thst has occurred. She lived for another ten years without any recurrence at all.

[Silverumbrella]

Hi op. Just wondering how your mum is getting on?

My 81 year old mum has been diagnosed today. We’ve got to wait for the biopsy results but have been told it will either be something which can be controlled by tablets or could be a cancer which will need surgery and chemo etc. The consultant has advised against the latter if it comes back as being that bad as mum has Alzheimer’s and putting her through that will be too much.
Obviously, I am very much hoping it will not be the latter.

Mum also has a pacemaker.