How age plays a role in your treatment

Social worker, Avril de Beer, explains the various life stages you could be in when diagnosed and how this and age plays a role in your treatment plan.

You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies

In your 20s

At this age as a young adult, you have many goals you want to achieve. You may want to finish your studies; find a good job; become financially independent from your parents; establish a circle of friends; and form a long-term romantic relationship. Although it might feel as if your diagnosis has ended your goals, your treatment is a temporary interruption to your life.

Setting yourself a different type of goal during treatment could give you the emotional energy to continue and complete your treatment. 

Suleika Jaouad, who was diagnosed with leukaemia when she was 22 years old, wrote the following about journaling, “Keeping that journal showed me how to write my way out of my private hell. It gave me a voice when I felt I had none and a job to do beyond simply trying to survive.”

Points to remember

• For emotional support, ask one of your parents or a close family member to accompany you when you visit your oncologist.
• Discuss possible loss of fertility as well as fertility preservation options with your oncologist.
• Contact your university/college to discuss continuing your studies online if necessary or postponing your studies.
• Use social media to stay connected with your friends.
• Although there are so many things going on at this stage of your life, it’s essential to attend all your treatment sessions and not to miss any appointments.

In your 30s

Many people in their 30s are married or in long-term relationships. Parents of young children juggle home life with demanding careers. Some are financially stable and able to become home owners. People who are thirty-something usually have many financial obligations such as home loan and car repayments, as well as school and transport fees. 

You don’t expect a cancer diagnosis in your 30s as cancer is most often associated with older adults. You might be worried about taking time off work for treatment. It’s best to ask your oncologist to write a letter to your employer detailing your diagnosis and treatment plan. Your employer needs to be updated whenever there are changes in your treatment plan.

Points to remember

• For emotional support, ask your spouse/partner or a good friend to accompany you when you visit your oncologist.
• If you want more children or if you’re still planning on having children, discuss possible loss of fertility as well as fertility preservation options with your oncologist.
• It’s important to tell your children about your cancer as soon as possible after your diagnosis. Be honest with them and give them age-appropriate information. If you aren’t sure what to tell them or how to discuss it with them, you can ask your oncologist to refer you to a social worker or counsellor for help.

In your 40s

According to clinical psychologist, Tricia Wolanin, turning 40 is a time to reflect on who you are at this time in your life – what are the values, thoughts, relationships, and jobs that are important to you? Your midlife starts at 40. This is the time to grow your career or, alternatively, start a new one. Your forties can be stressful as you might have to raise your children while taking care of your aging parents.

In your midlife, common health problems that could make their appearance are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and osteoporosis, to name but a few. The prevalence of many cancer risk factors is high when people are in their 40s, and incidence rates begin to increase for many types of cancer.

Points to remember

• Always ask your spouse/partner or a good friend to accompany you when you visit your oncologist. Not only will you need their emotional support, but also their note-taking skills during your discussion with the oncologist.

• It’s important to tell your children about your cancer as soon as possible after your diagnosis. Be honest with them and give them age-appropriate information. If you aren’t sure what to tell them or how to discuss it with them, you can ask your oncologist to refer you to a social worker or counsellor for help.

In your 50s

On your 50^th birthday, a noteworthy milestone for most people, you might have an established career with opportunities for promotion. Most likely, your children are studying or working, giving you more time to start a new hobby, learn a new language, or join a social group. You’re probably planning to retire in the next 10-15 years.

A cancer diagnosis at this stage of your life might leave you devastated. You have worked hard to reach this point in your life where you can spend leisure time with your spouse or your friends.

Points to remember

• Always ask your spouse/partner or a good friend to accompany you when you visit your oncologist. Not only will you need their emotional support, but also their note-taking skills during your discussion with the oncologist.
• It’s important to tell your children about your cancer diagnosis as soon as you can. You can decide if you want to share your diagnosis with your extended family and friends. 

In your 60s and older

Cancer risk increases with age, therefore most people who are diagnosed with cancer are older adults. In SA, most people reach retirement age at 60 or 65. You have worked very hard for most of your life to retire as comfortably as possible. It’s therefore heart-breaking to be diagnosed with cancer at this stage of your life. 

According to Cancer.Net, cancer treatment can be more challenging and complicated for older adults because they are more likely to have chronic health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease. Even if you are a healthy older adult, your body will most likely respond differently to treatment than a younger person’s body. Older adults tend to have more serious side effects from treatment. 

It’s important to use your social support system consisting of your children, grandchildren, friends, and retirement centre staff (if applicable) to accompany you to your treatment sessions and consultations with your oncologist; assist you with transportation; get your medication at the pharmacy; and provide meals among others.

Tips for every age

• Learn more about your cancer type and treatment options so that you can play an active role in your treatment. Ask your oncologist or social worker for the names of reputable websites where you can read more about your cancer type.
• As a major life stressor, cancer may cause substantial psychological distress as well as mental health disorders. Look after your mental health by consulting a social worker (most oncology practices offer counselling by a social worker free of charge), registered counsellor, or psychologist. Keep a journal to record your thoughts and feelings.
• Your quality of life may be affected by sexual dysfunction which is a common cause of distress. A discussion with your oncologist, social worker or registered counsellor could make a difference.
• Attend an online or face-to-face cancer support group. The Big C Online Directory, available on oncologybuddies.com, contains a list of support groups and their contact details.
• Contact your insurance company if you have dread disease cover or personal income protection. Depending on the intensity and duration of your treatment, you might have to apply for temporary disability.
• You most probably have insurance cover on your home loan, personal loans, and clothing accounts. Contact your bank to find out if your insurance will cover your loan instalments in case you need to apply for temporary disability.
• A responsibility that many of us neglect is our last will. A valid and updated last will ensures that your loved ones are taken care of. The beneficiaries on your life insurance policy, provident or pension fund need to be reviewed regularly.
• Consult an oncologist-recommended dietitian to make sure your diet is optimal during treatment.
• Discuss the best exercise options with a physiotherapist recommended by your  oncologist.

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