Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers women face. The two biggest risk factors for this type of cancer are being female and getting older. Senior women need to be aware of this disease. Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, start the conversation.
WHAT IS BREAST CANCER?
Cancer is a general term for many diseases where abnormal cells form and negatively impact healthy cells. Groups of these cells are called tumors. Breast cancer affects tissues in the breasts and can come in different forms, like metastatic, inflammatory, or ductal carcinoma in breast tissues.
BY THE NUMBERS
More than 1/2 of women with breast cancer are over 60
1/5 of women with breast cancer are over 70
There are more than 30 million women who have or have had breast cancer in the US
RISK FACTORS FOR BREAST CANCER
Besides being a woman and being a senior, there are several factors that increase the risk of breast cancer. Risk factors include:
Never having children or having a first child at an older age (35+)
Having dense breast tissue
A family history of breast or ovarian cancer
Previous cancer in one breast or breast tissue abnormalities like hyperplasia
PREVENTION AND DETECTION TIPS
For those who are 55 and older, these prevention and detection tips can reduce the risk of breast cancer and increase the chances of detecting breast cancer earlier.
Have a mammogram every other year
Pay attention to any changes in breasts and report them to your doctor right away
Talk to a doctor if you are at high risk of breast cancer
Ask your doctor about tamoxifen and raloxifene if you are at high risk
Maintain a healthy weight and nutritious diet
Stay physically active
Avoid post-menopausal hormones
Don’t smoke
TREATING BREAST CANCER IN SENIORS
Women over the age of 65 make up 40 percent of patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Treating senior patients can be different than treating cancer in younger patients. Common cancer treatments include:
Surgery
Radiation
Chemotherapy
Hormone therapy
Targeted medicinal therapy
Although treatment strategies depend on the type of cancer, all treatments seek to kill unhealthy cells but carry risks. For seniors, the risks can be so significant that treatment can’t be administered as strongly. This is often the case when seniors already have other medical conditions or physical vulnerabilities.
Seniors with breast cancer should ask their doctors questions about treatment to understand the reasons for the course of treatment prescribed and understand the associated risks.
At EPAGA Home Care, our caregivers are thoroughly trained in providing care to seniors and those with disabilities, including making trips to the doctor’s office effortless.
For more information on how we can assist you or your loved one with services like visits to primary care physicians, please visit our services page at the link below.