Routine Mammograms are Key for Early Detection and Treatment of Breast Cancer
Author: Dr. Claire Leegard
Senior Care in Wheaton and Naperville, IL
In previous years, I have told you about my senior friend who is currently 85 years old and is a breast cancer survivor. She underwent a unilateral mastectomy in her 70s, and she remains diligent about seeing her oncologist and getting routine mammograms of her healthy breast.
Even though she is in her 80s, my friend understands that routine mammograms are key for the early detection and treatment of breast cancer.
Considering that 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer, all women over 40 should get annual mammograms for early detection of breast cancer to achieve the most successful treatment outcomes.
The specialists at Edward-Elmhurst Health explain, “Mammograms help save lives by detecting cancer early. Mammograms can also help improve the chances of breast conservation and prevent the need for extensive treatment of advanced cancers.”
“Mammography is shown to reduce breast cancer mortality through early detection,” says Dr. Darius Gilvydis, a fellowship-trained breast specialist. “If a patient’s cancer is detected early, they have a 95 percent survival rate in five years.”
The most important message for all women 40 and older is to get screened. If you’re under 40, ask your doctor about any risk factors you might have that suggest starting screenings earlier.
The Susan G. Komen® organization lists dozens of risk factors for breast cancer including family history, alcohol consumption, body weight and obesity, bone and breast density, smoking, and many more, but the primary risk factor for breast cancer is age.
“The older a woman is, the more likely she is to get breast cancer. Risks for breast cancer are low in women under 40. About 4% of women are diagnosed with breast cancer younger than 40, even though this percentage is likely rising as more and more younger women are receiving the diagnosis. Rates increase after age 40 and are highest in women over age 70,” the Komen organization says.
The median age for women being diagnosed with breast cancer is 63, and the median age for men being diagnosed with breast cancer is 68. Although, statistics show that men are much less likely to develop breast cancer than women.
So why is breast cancer more prevalent in senior women and men? The Komen organization explains, “The older we are, the more likely abnormal changes will occur in our cells. When many of these changes occur, cancer can develop.“
That’s why routine breast cancer screening is necessary for women beginning at age 40.
Doctors recommend that women and men perform breast self-exams regularly to check for lumps or physical changes to the breasts. Primary care providers will perform clinical examinations during annual physicals to detect lumps or other changes.
Aside from mammograms, more in-depth medical breast screenings like MRIs (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and ultrasound may be ordered for women at higher risk or with dense breast tissue.
Lifestyle factors that can lower a person’s risk of breast cancer include:
- Maintaining a healthy weight and diet
- Getting regular exercise
- Not drinking alcohol or limiting the number of drinks consumed
- Understanding the benefits and risks of taking hormone replacement therapy
The point is that early detection and prevention are vital to achieving successful outcomes when it comes to breast cancer.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed or is undergoing treatment for breast cancer, my Home Helpers® team of highly trained, compassionate caregivers can provide an array of home care services, including safe transportation assistance to and from necessary medical appointments, personal care, homemaker services, meal planning and preparation, and more.
I gladly offer a FREE Consultation to assess specific needs and create a personalized care plan customized for senior men and women with breast cancer to make life easier.
Home Helpers® Wheaton & Naperville is proudly Making Life Easier℠ for veterans, differently abled, and senior men and women in Aurora, Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estate, Roselle, Itasca, Medinah, Naperville, Plainfield, Schaumburg, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton, and Winfield.
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