Any input on studies like this and relation to the 6 vs 12 treatments studies?

Hey, all. I foud this study, albeit from 2006: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/04/060428140932.htm

It states: " New research from Columbia University Medical Center has found that as many as 30 percent of patients with stage III colon cancer who were prescribed six months of chemotherapy with a combination of 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin stopped their treatment prematurely. Stopping chemotherapy for colon cancer prematurely was shown to be equivalent to receiving no treatment at all."

I have a few concerns with this study. The only participants were people with Stage 3 colon cancer who are 65 years old and older. This, in my opinion, skews the data (i.e., being able to say that stopping chemo early is detrimental to the survival of ALL stage 3 patients). Many 65+ people already have a myriad of other health issues and also deal with a lack of support (lack of loved ones, which is a very real mental/emotional drainage factor, which adversely affects physical health).

So, in my opinion, it's not the best evidence concerning survival rates for all stage 3 patients. This also parallels with the current on-going study which is trying to determine the efficacy of 6 FOLFOX treatments versus the standard 12. If the study mentioned above is taken into consideration, why even have the latter study going on? It merits mentioning the current study has no age limit, to my knowledge; only other limiting criteria.

I just wanted to get some of your opinions on studies like this, especially ones that use only sexagenarians and older.

Also, I have heard aroudn the web that 8 FOLFOX treatments are about as efficacious as 12 (something about it is getting to the point then that the side effects outweigh any other benefit of the treatment). But I have only heard this from a few other people online - no studies or sources are ever quoted. Does anyone have any substantial information on this??

Thanks!