Older Adults Have Different Criteria When Deciding How to Approach Cancer
Dear Carol: My Dad was diagnosed with non-aggressive prostate cancer. In the past, he’s been proactive about his health, but now he’s just going to watch and wait. His doctor agrees, since treatments have side effects and this is a slow-growing cancer. Dad still seems sharp, but this makes me wonder whether he’s thinking clearly or if he’s having cognitive changes. I’ve read studies where they say that for some prostate cancers, older men are better off just watching it, since they’ll probably die of something else before it causes a problem. But these older men aren’t my dad. I want him to get another opinion. He says that I need to understand that older people have different criteria for deciding whether to treat a disease. That would make sense if his health were otherwise compromised, but he’s so vigorous. Am I wrong? – ML
Dear ML: I’m sorry this is so hard. You obviously love your dad deeply. Yet, you can better demonstrate that by listening to him. It sounds like he’s receiving current, informed medical advice, so apparently, this isn’t an acute situation that needs…
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