Refusing Treatment For Cancer.

[Jennykenny]

A friend (late seventies) has just told me that she has decided not to continue with her treatment of radiography for breast cancer, because it was so awful.
I think she has absolutely done the right thing for her, and I am trying to support her as best as I can.
What would be helpful is if I could come across any articles online about people in similar situations. What they did to help themselves etc.
I’ve searched the Internet so far without success, but hopefully some of you out there will have further knowledge of this situation.
If possible, articles written in British newspapers/magazines (rather than from the US), and within the past ten years or so.
Many thanks. This would be most helpful.

[dannyk13]

Radiography does not have the side effects experienced with chemotherapy so why is it so awful?

[Mamyalynne]

Trying to find some references for your friend.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/when-should-you-stop-cancer-treatment-2249017

[Sqad]

I am not sure that I understand.
I think that you mean radiotherapy and not radiology and if this is the case then radiotherapy is not that "awful".
What might be described as "awful" is chemotherapy.
Could you please clear this point up.

[LadyCG]

Radiotherapy can have nasty side effects, which are worse if it is the left breast being irradiated, due to its proximity to the heart.

May I ask was radiotherapy being given to your friend in the adjuvant or palliative setting?

[Mamyalynne]

Maybe get in touch with Macmillan, they have advisers.

[anneasquith]

I admire her decision and agree with her. I'm not sure about articles an such but, McMillan nurses hold a depth of experience . Might be worth her contacting them or her local hospice .

[Sqad]

Sorry...you have got me at it now:

I think that you mean radiotherapy rather than radiography which is the process of taking X-Rays.

[237SJ]

You could try trawling though the posts here to see if anyone has made a similar decision https://forum.breastcancercare.org.uk/t5/Radiotherapy/bd-p/4436

[dannyk13]

My daughter went from chemotherapy to radiotherapy and felt no side effects.

[237SJ]

A couple of threads about it here https://forum.breastcancercare.org.uk/t5/forums/searchpage/tab/message?advanced=false&allow_punctuation=false&filter=location&location=forum-board%3A4436&q=stopping+radiotherapy+after+befinning+it

[kvalidir]

My father's sister made the same decision when she had cancer (she was on chemo however) and regretted it all too late and was them desolate about her decision, so please get your friend to talk to MacMillan etc, they can really advise and perhaps find a way her treatment doesn't make her feel so awful. Love to you both x

[janzman]

Mrs Janz underwent mastectomy, chemotherepy and radiotherepy for breast cancer a couple of years ago. I myself underwent hormone therapy and radiotherapy for prostate cancer ealier this year.

Neither breast nor prostate cancer will kill anyone, if treaty early enough. It's when the cancer spreads to other organs and parts of the body that the life threatening disease can and will result in death.

[anneasquith]

Hopefully some useful links there SJ...

[janzman]

// if treaty //

'if treated'

[Jennykenny]

Yes sorry Sqad. Not familiar with the terminology and obviously meant radiotherapy.

Danny Without going into detail, my friend found it awful, and does not want to continue. I don’t need or want to justify her decision, just some help/information about other people who came to this decision.

[Jennykenny]

Kavidlar, Macmillan nurses are supporting her decision 100% and she said they have been amazing. Not trying to talk her out of it, but being there for her.

[Jennykenny]

Lady, sorry, no idea. She only talks about it in general terms.
Everyone else, many thanks for your pointers towards more information. Will study them in depth, and print out what I think would be useful for her.
Jazzman she is well aware of the consequences and is prepared to deal with them.

[anneasquith]

I wish your . Friend . peace and best wishes :-)

[Mamyalynne]

I send you both strength and courage.

[rowanwitch]

My mum found the exhaustion from radiotherapy very difficult and has advised us if her cancer comes back she will not have more treatment. Dave refused further chemotherapy. I fully understand someone choosing palliative care. I also hope she has a gentle pathway.