posted by jen
23 August 2008
answers please!!!!!
Last reply:
12 October 2015 11:22
i need answers, my friend with lung cancer was just told thay dont expect him to survive the year,
what does this mean?
why cant they treat it
surely theres something that can be done!! hes 22!!!
please help
Hi Jen,
It is difficult for me or anybody else to comment on your friend's prognosis. This is because no two patients are the same. Only your friend's doctors could explain whether or not he is suitable for treatment. The doctors will have made this decision based on what type of lung cancer he has and how advanced his disease is. This will have been explained to your friend. It may well be that he is going to receive treatment but that the aim of this treatment is not to cure his disease but to control his disease and symptoms. This is referred to as palliative care. If your friend is unclear about what he has been told, I suggest he arrange another meeting with his doctors to discuss what has been said. It would be a good idea if somebody accompanies him to this appointment as he may be overwhelmed by the information and may find it difficult to remember. Also I would advise him to write out his questions before meeting the doctor so that he gets the information he needs. If you or your friend would like to discuss this further you can ring our helpline on freefone 1800 200 700 (mon-thurs, 9am-7pm, fri 9am-5pm) or email us on helpline@irishcancer.ie.