What will happen to my mum?

My mum has to go to the hospital for some tests. She is 72 and has had an episode of vaginal bleeding. I know that one of the possible diagnoses is Uterine Cancer and I'm really scared.

My mum has been very unwell the last few years. She's no longer the busy woman she used to be - she seems frail and unwell all the time and always tired and exhausted. She's also just had an attack of Shingles which has left her drained and weak.

If it is Uterine Cancer, I know that they will often perform a hysterectomy or do radiation/chemo but I can't see that at my mum's age she will be strong enough to go through all that. What treatment options will be open to her at her age? I don't want to lose her yet, she's my best friend and I have a 14 month old son who loves his grannie so much. Please help!

First thing to say is don't worry.

Yes it could be uterine cancer, but that is an extremely rare form of cancer. It could be a cervical polyp, fibroids, in fact any of over 100 different things could cause such bleeding, including hyperthyroidism, which fits with the other symptoms. The point is not to worry. No one will be able to make a diagnosis online. Although it is difficult, wait for the tests.

Hope your mother gets better soon.

hi, i dont want to scare you but it could be bowel cancer. my dad is in hospital with it at the moment, it dosent have to be life threatening. i hope your mum is ok
good luck, here if you need to talk
caroline

If she does have cancer, then she will probably tell you.
Be there for her, and tell her to be strong and a fighter.
Good Luck

Hi sorry your mom is unwell, she may have a prolapse of the womb and this could cause bleeding also.
I don't think they will operate unless really necessary and they will consider her age. If she is to frail at the minute they won't mess to much unless of course it is life-threatening.
As long as you are at hand giving her all the support and love she will be OK.
Hope she is well again soon, keep thinking positive OK.

please be positive, wait for the test resuls first, it might not be as bad as you might think, think positive and look forward to your child playing with his granny

It is terrible watching your parents get older. My father is in exactly the same position as your mum - with a different health problem but nevertheless, a couple of months ago at the age of 72 he was cycling 40 miles a day and now, he can't climb the stairs.

By being in hospital, your mum will be in the right place - getting the observation and tests that she needs to diagnose her. Until you have a diagnosis, try not to worry - I know it is very very hard. Once she has a diagnosis, then appropriate treatment can commence. If it is the worse and is cancer, remember that many types of cancer can be managed and treated to make your mum's life as comfortable as possible.

Good luck.

I'm really sorry to hear that your mum is sick, and I hope that her condition is something other than cancer. However, if it is uterine cancer, there are several treatment options:
1. Radiation - using high-dose x-rays to kill cancer cells. Doctors may recommend this option for fast-growing tumors or tumors in contact with muscle or blood vessels.
2. Hormone Therapy - if the cancer has spread to other body parts, a hormone called synthetic progestin might stop the cancer from spreading.
3. Chemotherapy - drugs are ingested/injected to kill cancer cells.
4. Hysterectomy - the most likely form of treatment where the uterus (or uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries) are removed.

Be supportive of your mum's choices if this is her diagnosis, and remember that she may choose to refrain from treatment. Having had an uncle with cancer, I've seen what chemotherapy can do to people, and it is painful to watch a loved one go through this treatment. Also remember that this type of cancer is very treatable.

Anyways, I hope that she'll be okay. Be strong :)

be thankful its been spotted early enough to do something about it-with the right medical care,and help and support from you and your family,she`ll make it I`m sure.They can so much more these days to stave off,or even cure a lot of cancers.Get all the advice you can,and here`s to hoping you get the result you deserve,God bless.

Sweetheart I am not sure which country you live in but here in the UK if the medical people thought your mother was not strong enough for an operation they would let her have one they would treat her another way .

It may she has has become anaemic with her blood loss so they will treat that and that will not need surgery

First of all "Raise your spirits!" Fortunately she's still alive and will benefit tremendously from ALL CARE GIVEN HER! This includes the best psychological and spiritual help all around her can manage to give her!!!!

I won't have time to tell you of similar story from someone very close in my family. But I will let you know that if you are positive, confident and in the best of spirits ever, this will give her a huge boost and would want her to go on and come back with better strength, etc.

Also, 72 is not OLD nowadays. And there are many cancer treatments. PLEASE make sure you ask her doctor if there's any special diet to follow, once she's had surgery or whichever treatment they give her. ASK if there are no contraindications regarding food that she can take BEFORE treatment.

And then do your very best to FEED her as much HEALTHY, NUTRITIOUS FOOD as you can. NO MORE RED MEAT, only chicken, fish (preferably fresh), all sorts of vegetables, but especially the VERY GREEN and yellow/orange ones, such as brocoli, brussel sprouts, among many. ASK doctor if she can take GARLIC. If yes, then put it in EVERY MEAL. Use up to one whole bulb (head). I use up to three but I'll be cutting down until I'm able to read more because it is extremely strong as antibiotic, etc.

there is no way to know exactly what it is until all the test are ran..it should be your mother's decision on what she can and can't handle unless she is mentally unable...good luck

I just lost my mum she was also my best friend she was only 60. She was diagnosed in may last year with kidney cancer, mum pasted away sept 7 after only a 4 month battle, i really hope you have a better prognosis cancer is a terrible disease and wouldnt wish it on my worst enemy. x

Fear, anger and negative ways make you sick. So, encouraging her to be a more positive person and hate no one will improve her health.

Also resolving conflicts in your life and hers will help.

I'm sorry your family has to deal with it. This would be your mother's decision, what she wants to do. A hysterectomy might be worth it. And radiation and chemo are what medicine has to offer. They will be able to give her an idea as to how she might do. It depends how far along it is if it is cancer. Stick together and support each other. Find others to vent to when you need to talk and cry.

Don't jump to conclusions. It could be something other than uterine cancer, something much easier to treat. Please don't worry yourself yet. Wait until you get a positive confirmation of what you're dealing with and then research that ailment until you find the best course of action. You can even come back on Yahoo! and ask about the ailment specifically. But please don't waste your energy worrying, spend it praying for strength and courage. You need to be strong and positive for your mother and you won't be if you're sick with worry. I'll include you in my prayers. Good luck to you and your family.

I'm very sorry to hear that you and your family are having to go through this. First of all, try to take a deep breath and calm down. (Not so easy when you are worried sick, I know).
Vaginal bleeding can indicate several things, and yes, uterine cancer is one of them. Just as someone else mentioned it though, vaginal bleeding is NOT a symptom of bowel cancer. That would be rectal bleeding.
There is little that can be done until your mum has had her tests. If it is cancer, then she will undergo assessment to see if she is physically fit enough for surgery. Spinal blocks can be done for anaesthesia instead of a general anaesthetic if she is not fit enough to undergo that. But the surgeon responsible for her care will decide that with the Anaesthetist.
Treatment options would include surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. But without knowing her diagnosis it's impossible to say. It might help you if you make an appointment to see your doctor to discuss your worries with them.
You are all in my thoughts.

Prepare for the worst, my mum died at 70 from lung cancer and i get the feeling that there is no viable treatment for pensioners possibly because of their reduced immune response.I am not being unfeeling i know how it works, i am doing social care which includes care of the elderly.All the best in the future.xxxx