Senior Breast Cancer – What Important Things You Need To Know About It in 2022!
Breast cancer is one of the leading forms of cancer amongst the female population, and early detection is key. It is an unfortunate reality that our country’s population continues to grow older. The number of people aged 65 and over is expected to make up 20% of the U.S. population by 2030, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This means more people will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their senior years than ever before.
The CDC also predicts that this trend will lead to a significant increase in breast cancer deaths among seniors due to delayed diagnosis or treatment, especially among women who have never been screened for the disease before being diagnosed at a late stage. In fact, overall death rates from this form of cancer are higher among elderly women than any other group of females, regardless of race or ethnicity.
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What You Need To Know About Breast Cancer In The Senior Community
The good news is that overall, breast cancer death rates have been declining for women of all ages since 1990-1992. However, the rate at which they are falling has slowed significantly in recent years, suggesting growing complacency among Americans regarding their risk of developing this disease.
According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer after age 65 generally have a higher mortality rate than younger patients, according to statistics released by the CDC. Some researchers believe this trend may be partly due to late-stage diagnoses or treatment delays caused by failure to conduct routine screenings for older adults compared to their younger counterparts.
Since older women are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer in later stages, the disease is much more difficult to treat. This means that even when patients do receive proper treatment for their breast cancers, they fare worse than younger people who are diagnosed at an earlier stage.
The majority of all breast cancer cases in this country occur in women age 50 and over. As women live longer lives today, this group will account for an increasingly large proportion of total cases in years ahead. According to BreastCancer.org, about 27% of new cancer diagnoses were made in females 65-74 last year, while another 25% occurred among women 75 and older. This is compared to just 6-10% being among young adults aged 40-49.
What You Can Do To Reduce Your Risk of It?
Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer as you age. The American Cancer Society recommends the following:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Engage in regular physical activity
- Avoid alcohol or limit consumption to no more than 1 drink per day
- If you smoke, quit smoking
- Get screened for breast cancer regularly, especially if you are over 65 years old
These simple steps can help improve your overall health and potentially reduce your risk of developing breast cancer.
If you are concerned about your risk for this disease – or have been recently diagnosed – it is important to talk to your doctor about the best course of treatment for you. There are a number of options available, and early diagnosis is key to achieving the best possible outcome. Breast cancer is not a disease that should be faced alone; support from friends and family can be crucial to getting through this difficult time.
Conclusion
Breast cancer is a serious concern for seniors, and it is important to be aware of the risks and take steps to reduce your risk of developing the disease. Failure to conduct routine screenings can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment, which can significantly increase the mortality rate among elderly patients. There are a number of things you can do to stay healthy and reduce your risk of breast cancer, including maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity, avoiding alcohol and smoking, and getting screened regularly.
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, it is important to seek professional help and get the best possible care. With early diagnosis and treatment, many seniors are able to beat this disease and live long healthy lives.
