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risk invasive surgery. Women in their 80s who develop a small breast cancer may opt to leave it alone if removing it poses a risk, given other health factors.

What is the best possible outcome?

You should find out what exactly the procedure or surgery will entail, how long you’ll be in the hospital, and if rehabilitation will be required after you are discharged.

Among other things, people might ask their surgeon: What will my daily life look like right after surgery? How long is the typical recovery period? Will I need care at home and for how long? Will tubes, drains, catheters or other medical supplies be used in the recovery process? Will they be inserted during surgery? How long does equipment used in recovery following surgery? Who takes care of post-surgical care to prevent infection or complication?

It’s important to consider your health, age and functional status when considering the most likely outcome. Research suggests that older adults who are frail; have cognitive impairment; or other serious conditions, such as heart disease, have worse experiences with major surgery. Also, people in their 80s and 90s are at higher risk of complications. That being said, the benefits of surgery may outweigh the potential risks.. Be sure to discuss the risks and benefits with your physician.

You may want to have a family member or friend in the room for these conversations, especially if the surgery is high risk. Older adults with some level of cognitive impairment may need assistance working through complex decisions.

Source: Kaiser Health News