“My father is 78 years old and has been detected with colon cancer. Given his age, we are not sure what's next.”
My father is 78 years old and has been detected with colon cancer. Given his age we are unsure how we should be proceeding with his treatment. I want to get as many second opinions as possible. What should be recommended?
2 Answers
Ask your father first and see oncologist that you can communicate with and determine treatment plan and potential side effects and risk. Let your father tell you what his desires and wishes are to move forward.
It is a good idea to receive a second, maybe third opinion. At the same time, "to get as many second opinions as possible" may lead to a waste of valuable limited time. Treating the cancer or not treating the cancer needs to be decided based on risks and benefits of the treatment. Recommend to plan further course based on current quality of your father's life. For further guidance, reach out to his primary doctor and maybe consider a palliative care consult.
