Understanding Best Practices in Early Detection and Prevention of Breast Cancer
Author: Dr. Claire Leegard
It seems that every year I meet at least one woman who has received a breast cancer diagnosis and is undergoing some sort of treatment for the disease. Sometimes, they are clients of Home Helpers.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is why understanding best practices in early detection and prevention of breast cancer provides hope and encouragement for aging women and men at risk of developing the disease.
“In Illinois, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer death in women,” according to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
Additionally, the incidence of breast cancer in Illinois women increased from 127.1 per 100,000 in 2008 to more than 132.0 per 100,000 in 2017, and even more recent statistical data shows another increase to 133.6 between 2017-2021. This places Illinois as one of our nation’s highest-ranking states for breast cancer cases.
These stats represent why early detection and prevention are so essential when it comes to breast cancer in Illinois.
IDPH says, “Screening for breast cancer is recommended for women ages 40 to 74 years.”
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.”
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:
- Age
- Family history
- Alcohol consumption
- Body weight and obesity
- Bone and breast density
- Smoking
- Lack of exercise
- Hormone replacement therapy
“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. 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.
IDPH says that women at high risk of breast cancer may choose preventative medications or surgery to remove healthy breasts to reduce their risk.
Several lifestyle choices can help lower the risk of developing breast cancer. These include:
- Maintaining a healthy weight through balanced nutrition
- Engaging in regular physical activity
- Avoiding or limiting alcohol consumption
- Talking with your physician about the potential benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with breast cancer, there are several treatment options to explore based on the stage of the disease and how early it was detected. It’s important to take the time to learn about and consider all available treatment paths so you can make the best decision for your health and well-being.
I realize that many seniors are not financially stable, or perhaps they are unable or unwilling to undergo treatment for breast cancer due to their age.
Thankfully, there is a program to help the financially stressed and underserved with FREE breast and cervical cancer screenings throughout our area. The Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program offers free mammograms, breast exams, pelvic exams, and Pap tests to eligible women in Illinois, without insurance, 35 to 64 years old.
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 for senior men and women with breast cancer, so we can help make life easier.
Our team is honored to have received the Activated Insights – Best of Home Care® Leader in Experience, Provider of Choice, and the Employer of Choice Awards 2025; as well as the 2025 Caring Super Star Award from Caring.com.
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 Estates, Itasca, Medinah, Mooseheart, Naperville, Plainfield, Roselle, Schaumburg, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton, and Winfield.
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