![]() The risks can be higher when you are older because your body does not always work as well as it did. Like other treatments, surgery has risks. ![]() How cancer surgery can affect older adults The main cancer treatments for people of all ages are: You may have just one type of treatment or a combination of treatments. Cancer treatment options for older adults Remember that you always have the right to make your own treatment decisions. Sometimes, it is best if your family and closest friends meet with you and your doctor to talk about the best treatment plan. If this happens, your health care team can help you talk with your family and friends. Or they might try to keep you from having certain treatments. They might want you to have more aggressive treatment. If you and your family do not agreeįamily members, friends, and caregivers might have different ideas about your treatment. If so, you might want your health care team to do everything possible for a cure. You might have plans many years in the future. This might be especially true if you have a chronic health condition or you feel that your quality of life is poor.īut if you are very healthy and enjoy many activities, you might want aggressive treatment. This might not be true for you.ĭepending on your age and general health, you might care more about feeling well than curing cancer permanently. Some people are able to have aggressive treatment. For example, a healthy younger person's goal might be to cure the cancer even if treatment is very difficult. Your goals might be different from a younger person’s. Maintaining physical and emotional strength Having fewer symptoms from cancer and side effects from its treatment For example, the type of cancer and whether it has spread will factor into your goals. Your cancer treatment goals depend on many factors. Learn more about making decisions about cancer treatment. Sometimes, managing side effects from treatment can make an important difference in your quality of life. It is important to talk honestly with your health care team about what quality of life means to you. Your ideas about a dignified or peaceful death Think about each of the areas listed below:Ībility to keep taking care of yourself, do usual activities, or live independently These factors put together are called quality of life. Ask your health care team about ways to get financial help with cancer treatment.Īlso consider what your life will be like physically, emotionally, and socially. And there are resources to help people with the costs of care. But costs of treatment vary based on several factors. Older adults are more likely to have a limited budget, live on a fixed income, or both. ![]() Who can help with your care and provide emotional support? If you live alone, will you feel lonely or cut off from other people? How can you get support during treatment?įinancial challenges. Possible emotional and social challenges. Thinking about your personal situation is also very important. How cancer treatment can affect your physical health, emotional health, and lifestyle The type of cancer, if it has spread, and how farĪll your treatment options, and the risks and benefits of each oneĪny other medical conditions that might cause problems with treatment or increase your risk of side effects What to considerīefore making any treatment decisions, talk with your health care team about: Working with your health care team to make a treatment plan can help you feel more in control. They also believe that you have the right to make your own decisions. Your health care team wants to know your concerns and answer your questions. In the past, doctors sometimes made decisions without talking with patients. This article helps you think about making treatment decisions. Cancer treatment can help people of any age. For example, older adults are more likely to have serious side effects from chemotherapy.īut age should not be the only factor in your treatment decisions. Even when you are healthy, your body will most likely respond differently to treatment than a younger person’s body. This is because older adults are more likely to have chronic health conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease. Cancer treatment can be more challenging and complicated for older adults. ![]()
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