One of our Home Helpers caregivers was watching TV with her client, and she saw something that captured her attention. Two of the male hosts of a daytime Emmy award-winning talk show, The Talk, featured something incredibly unique.
Former NFL player turned talk show co-host, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila and actor/co-host Jerry O’Connell underwent mammograms as a demonstration to men that it is a simple, painless, but critical test to check for male breast cancer. Men may not be diagnosed as frequently as women, but men account for at least 1% of all breast cancer diagnoses.
Two of The Talk’s female co-hosts, Amanda Kloots and Natalie Morales, also discretely demonstrated how mammograms are performed, and they both concurred that it was only a mildly uncomfortable experience, but they both were relieved to know they would be at the forefront of their own health journey through early detection should breast cancer cells be detected.
I know you probably feel inundated with prompts to wear pink for breast cancer awareness or donate to worthy fundraisers for breast cancer research. However, the most important thing to remember during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and beyond is that early detection through breast cancer screenings could prove to be lifesaving.
Symptoms
Aging men and women may not experience any symptoms associated with breast cancer because it starts with a single cancer cell that mutates and grows, which is why screening for breast cancer cells is so critical. There are several symptoms you can watch for, though, and if you notice any of these, you should see your doctor immediately!
- Swelling of all or part of a breast (even if no lump is present)
- Skin dimpling (also known as orange peel skin)
- Breast or nipple pain
- Nipple retraction (turning inward)
- Nipple or breast skin that is red, dry, flaking, or thickened
- Nipple discharge (other than breast milk)
- Swollen lymph nodes under the arm or near the collar bone (sometimes this can be indicative of breast cancer spread even before the original tumor in the breast is large enough to be felt)
“Remember that knowing what to look for does not take the place of having regular screening for breast cancer.Screening mammography can often help find breast cancer early before any symptoms appear. Finding breast cancer early gives you a better chance of successful treatment,” says the American Cancer Society.1
Screenings
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation1 (BCRF) published the new United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations for breast cancer screening in May 2023. They specifically noted that the age at which women should begin screening has been lowered from 50 to 40 years of age. The new guidelines are:
- Start breast cancer screening at age 40
- Get screening mammograms every other year from ages 40-74
- Higher risk cases may require annual mammograms
“The major benefit of screening is that it helps detect breast cancer sooner. When breast cancer is caught early, it is nearly 100 percent curable. Women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer can also be cured with fewer and/or less intense treatments and surgeries. Mammograms and breast cancer screening have saved millions of lives,” explains the BCRF.
I don’t believe that thinking pink should stop when November begins. After all, women are diagnosed with breast cancer every day of every month of every year. In fact, the American Cancer Society’s2 estimates for breast cancer in the United States for 2023 are:
- About 297,790 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women
- About 55,720 new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), or early stage
- About 43,700 women will die from breast cancer
“Breast cancer mainly occurs in middle-aged and older women. The median age at the time of breast cancer diagnosis is 62. This means half of the women who developed breast cancer are 62 years of age or higher when they are diagnosed. A very small number of women diagnosed with breast cancer are younger than 45,” explains the American Cancer Society.
Moreover, in terms of breast cancer incidence in men, the BCRF2 added, “About one in 833 men will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. While that statistic may not sound as daunting as the equivalent for women—one in eight will be diagnosed in their lifetime—the fact that male breast cancer is so rare makes it uniquely challenging.”
If you or someone you know is receiving treatment for breast cancer or is recovering from surgery to remove breast cancer, a Home Helpers® caregiver can provide compassionate assistance and support to help make life easier. Our professional caregivers are highly trained and skilled to help with personal care, homemaking services, grocery shopping, meal preparation, transportation to/from doctor appointments, and so much more.
I am happy to offer a FREE Assessment to discuss needs and recommend specific in-home care services we can provide to help you or your loved one who is navigating the challenges that come with breast cancer treatments and recovery.
Home Helpers® Bourbonnais/Kankakee/Frankfort proudly serves male and female seniors in Beecher, Bourbonnais, Bradley, Dwight, Frankfort, Kankakee, Manteno, Mokena, New Lenox, Orland Park, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Tinley Park, Watseka, Wilmington, and surrounding areas. Contact me today to learn more about the many services offered through Home Helpers® - We are Making Life Easier℠ for you and yours! (815) 427-4238
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