Hi My Dad has recently been diagnosed with Lung Cancer which has spread to the brain and a couple of other places. It has been quite a shock as he has been diagnosed at such a late stage. He spent a couple of weeks in hospital having tests and being treated for kidney failure and dehydration after being admitted via a and because of balance problems and confusion. He regained his balance and mobility after being treated with steroids and is no longer confused.
Today we met with the hospital consultant who specialises in respiratory problems. She said the multidisciplinary team had met to discuss treatment options and then went on to describe that each option chemotherapy, radiotherapy etc had been ruled out and gave reasons for not using these. Basically they are doing nothing to treat my Dads incurable cancer...just referring him to McMillan nurses for palliative care.
Now it may be that he is not fit enough to treat and the cancer is too advanced, but she began the conversation with the phrase “according to government guidelines for treating the over eighties” and something about that doesn’t sit right with me. Do such guidelines exist and why should over eighties get different access to treatment from everyone else? She said she didn’t think it was appropriate to give him chemotherapy because the costs in terms of side effects would not outweigh the benefits and he has a heart murmur and diabetes as well as the cancer. I thought patients were supposed to be given the choice?
i mentioned a second opinion and she said there were two oncologist s in the team and they were agreed, and no other oncologist would make a different decision.
Does anyone have any experience in this area or any thoughts?
I just want to do the right thing by my Dad and need to be sure doing nothing is the right thing.....
Hi and welcome to the community, although sorry to hear of your Dad's diagnosis. This must be a difficult time for your family and many here will understand. In general, it is the person's fitness and ability to cope with treatment rather than age. I have been on this community for several years and have never heard of an "over 80s rule". We have had people here in their 90s undergoing serious surgery. We have a section here Ask A Nurse where you may like to post your concerns for an expert opinion. There is also a group you may find helpful to join and post in, Carers Only . There you will find others in similar circumstances where you can get help and advice from others who understand. best wishes.
