Is chemo safe for a 70 year old?

Question

My mother is diagnosed with Stage 4 liver cancer. Her first appointment at the Cancer Centre is coming up where they will schedule chemo treatment for her. Just wondering if it is safe for my 70 year old mother.

Answer 1

Angel, I do not feel it is safe for the elderly do do the chemo and radiation. I recently lost my father from cancer, he had his first and last bout with radiation and chemo feb 2005, It did no good. dad had the cancer in his throat. It was ruff going for him. It did not kill the cancer, it spread to his brain and lungs, and liver, and in his lymphnodes, and stomic, and blood. He passed away Aug. 8 2006 at 8:30 pm. We burried him Aug 19 2006. His 70th birthday will be Sept 19,2006. I will keep your mother in my prayers. God bless you and your family. Please stay POSITIVE
cause negative takes them away sooner and you loose someone special.

Answer 2

I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. Chemo is never safe at any age. Before you see any improvements if any, your mother will go through a very very very rough recover period. Chemo has so many side effects. All of them are unpleasant. Does your mother want a shot at chemotherapy? I used to give chemo to my patients. If I was 70 and had liver cancer, I would rather stay at home and enjoy my last days. Chemo would only make me feel worse. Sorry.

Answer 3

Since she already had an appointment with the Cancer institute, the doctors who recommended this treatment had only the best intentions for her. Chemo is not the most desirable experience for a person but it will definitely provide a great deal of help.
Just be there to support her while she's at it.
Good luck.

Answer 4

Chemotherapy is always pretty drastic. The doctors will know the risks exactly, however, and they would not prescribe it unless they thought there was a good chance of curing her. Make sure that you discuss the risks and likelihood of success with the doctors, so that you know exactly where you are with it.

What matters is that you support your mother wholeheartedly in what will be a difficult time for her (and you, of course, but she is the patient.) A supportive and calm attitude from you during her treatment will contribute as much to her recovery as the chemo,

I wish you both all the best and a time of becoming closer.

Answer 5

Is chemo safe for a women of any age? But as your Mother is 70 years old she is probably a lot safer than say someone who is a great deal younger and of child bearing age.

To allay any fears speak to your own GP. He will not discuss your mothers case but he will be able to give you the information that you require.

I sincerely hope that all goes well for your mother and for you and your family. AnnetteUK.

Answer 6

If your mom is 70 and she needs Chemo for CANCER I'd think Chemo is the least of her problems. Be thankful there is some kind of treatment and pray that it works.

Answer 7

Chemo is not safe for anybody.
If you would really like to help your mother, first read

http://dgwa1.fortunecity.com/body/cancer.html

Answer 8

I don't know too much about it but I'm sure the doctors are making a decision as to what is best for her. Good luck!

Answer 9

You will have to trust in your provider that he or she is making the best choice as far as risk vs benefit for your mother...It is different for all people...

Answer 10

If she and you trust her doctor(s), then I would assume they think she can endure it. Without it, she'd probably not fair well. I pray she does well and the cancer will be destroyed in her body.