To go through chemo therapy or choose not to?

Princess Kate is now having preventative chemo after her cancer operation so I don't think it would be offered if it was not going to be of any use to you. Our son's 36 year old wife, mother in law and father in law have all had cancer operations last year and they were told that everything is now clear but they were not offered preventative chemo treatments and they would have accepted it if it had been offered. If it was me, I would take everything that was offered.

I have friends who had bowel cancer. The chose belt and braces too. They are still here!

How long a course of chemo would it be, is perhaps a consideration.
Also, some are harsher than others, which may have some bearing on your decision.

If you don't have chemo and the cancer recurs, you will be kicking yourself, I'm sure.

My uncle had bowel and bladder cancer . Over the course of 15 years need the first chemo after his operation and over the years 5 more shorter courses to get rid of any cancer cells that appeared. He lived a full life. He saw his grandchildren and even a grandchild . When on coach holidays 3 times a year in the UK. As he got older had a mobility scooter I think he thought he was Sterling Moss. Needed a stair lift. But he needed those because of arthritis. He was 86 when he died but that wasn't because of cancer but blocked tubes from his kidneys that gave him sepsis .

Urmstongran

My husband (71) has cancer. It is inoperable and incurable but as the Professor at the Christie told him last May that does not mean it’s untreatable. Those words gave us hope. My husband said recently “without chemotherapy I wouldn’t be here”.

Best wishes from me, whatever you decide.

When I worked with Marie Curie, our Prof always said something similar. He used to tell patients that their cancer being terminal meant they couldn’t cure the disease, but they could treat the symptoms, sometimes for a very long time. Another of his bugbears was patients being told ‘ how long they’ve got’. He felt that did more harm than good.

No two cancers are the same. You can only rely on the consultants. My daughter had chemo and radiotherapy after her tumour was removed but unfortunately the cancer came back .

The husband of one of my friends and an acquaintance had surgery for bowel cancer in the same month some years ago.
The acquaintance opted for chemo afterwards while my friend did not.
His returned about 3 years later and was terminal , she is absolutely fine.
Don’t take the risk as it been offered to you.
Belt AND braces.

My husband (71) has cancer. It is inoperable and incurable but as the Professor at the Christie told him last May that does not mean it’s untreatable. Those words gave us hope. My husband said recently “without chemotherapy I wouldn’t be here”.

Best wishes from me, whatever you decide.

An acquaintance of mine recently went through surgery for bowel cancer and had chemo after. I'm not too sure of the ins and outs, but I know she is clear of the cancer now and fighting fit again.

You will obviously need to check this advice with your consultant, but I suggest trying one course of the chemotherapy. People react very differently, and you may find yourself able to handle it well; or you may find it affecting your quality of life very badly.
Good luck

Oh singingnutty, you’ve been through a battering, just finish the job and be done with the cancer. Why risk it returning ?
(Unless of course you are over 100 years old)

A friend is ten years clear after chemo following surgery for bowel cancer
My neighbour was less fortunate
Best of luck