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No treatment because of age?

SammyGA
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Hello, 

I didn’t know where else to ask this question. My nan was sent to hospital last week with abdominal pain and a CT scan showed a growth on her liver that they think is cancer. Due to her age (92), they are just leaving her to it and not exploring any options of treatment or further investigation. Is this normal? I am 250 miles away from her so cannot be there in person to help, but my dads 3 year anniversary of passing away from cancer is coming up. I don’t feel like I asked enough questions with his illness and I don’t want to make the same mistake again now. 

thank you. 

  • Hi SammyGA,

    Thank you for contacting us and welcome back to the online community. I’m Lorna one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Support Line.

    I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your dad and your uncle over the past few years. I hope you are finding our bereaved family and friends forum a great support at this difficult time.

    Consultants take many things into consideration before they decide what treatment, if any, a patient would benefit from having.

    When your nan was diagnosed as having cancer, her doctor may have completed various tests and investigations to decide if her cancer was a primary or secondary  liver cancer. When all the tests are completed, and a cancer is staged and graded treatment is then decided.

     Cancer treatment can be challenging enough for healthy individuals. Treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy are good at destroying cancer, but they can also have damaging side effects.

    Your nans doctor would look at her general health and performance status and decide if she would be fit enough to have treatment.

    Everyone is different and it would help to get in touch with your nans consultant or clinical nurse specialist (if she has one). They will be able to give you more information and support as to why this decision has been made. You might find questions to ask the healthcare team helpful too.

    I hope this is helpful,  please get back in touch with us if you have any more questions.

    Best wishes,

    Lorna

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

    Ref/LB/KG

     

     

    Lorna-Macmillan (Cancer Information Nurse Specialist)
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