The Evandro doctor of Azambuja, of the Jules Bordet Institute, points out: it takes an average of 12 years for a 1 cm tumor to develop. The first metastasus occurs after 31 months. And it only takes 30 days to see a secondary metastasis appear. That is to say if the months, and sometimes the days count.
However, in women over 70, breast cancer is more often detected at a more advanced stage. For 10% of diagnoses, this is stage 4 (the highest), a rate which is 6% on average in the group of women aged 50 to 69 as well as among the youngest. Beyond 70 years, the vital prognosis is also generally less good.
Regarding the choice of treatment, the higher age requires carrying out an overall assessment of the physical form of the patient (or the patient, men can also develop this cancer). Because “Chronological age does not necessarily correspond to the functional age”, underlines the doctor. “We do a multidisciplinary evaluation, to determine for example if the patient will be able to bear chemotherapy, if she will not have too many complications or if it is better to favor another choice. We look at if the patient takes medication, if she is mobile, if she knows how to move, etc. beyond 75 years, we take stock with a geriatrician.”
In terms of prevention, if you cannot change the time race, other risk factors can be considerably reduced: moving, eating well is essential, again at any age. Hormonal treatments (for menopause, for example) can also have an influence – to be discussed with the doctor.
