Dads diagnosed Rectal cancer

Hi 

So sorry to hear about your dad . Lots of different factors to consider . 
Some patients have had radiotherapy on its own if they feel the recovery from surgery would be too arduous. No experience on surgery myself but plenty of reports here if you like to use the magnifying glass on the top right hand side to search the forum !

You maybe like to ask the oncologist if it would be a shorter course of radiotherapy or if it would be the month long and would the shorter course be more tolerable for him . What would he expect to gain ? The NHS can factor in frailty risks  but not solely on age . You could ask his oncologist if it’s that reason they are seeking to balance out quality of life issues with what could reasonably be achieved . 

Some people tolerate radiotherapy really well and get a good response. The other question you might like to consider . If he commenced radiotherapy could he stop it at any point of it was too much for him !

Does your dad have any insights into which option he would prefer ? 

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatments-and-drugs/radiotherapy-for-rectal-cancer

I have included a booklet on radiotherapy for you to have a read. 

Let me know if you need more information. I can tell you are very caring and looking to find the best way forward for your dad !

Take care ,

Court 

Thank you for your reply.  I will certainly ask those questions and don’t think Dad has thought too much about the options available with the radiotherapy.  I will hopefully be in on the meeting so I will have my notepad at the ready.