Breast cancer is a prevalent type with several known risk factors. Old age is a major one.
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, approximately 316,950 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive cancer in 2025.
Senior living in Glendale, AZ, balances natural wonders, such as the Thunderbird Conservation Park, and entertainment, such as the Westgate Entertainment District.
Managing your risk lets you enjoy it. Read on to learn about breast cancer risk by age and how seniors can prevent it.
Almost anyone, including men and women, can get breast cancer. Also, breast cancer risk by age follows a familiar pattern. The numbers tend to go up as you get older.
The National Breast Cancer Institute says only 9% of new cases are in women under 45 years old, but younger women have a higher risk of recurrence.
Seniors are at the highest risk for diagnosis and complications. According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the average age at diagnosis is 63. More than half of the women who die from the disease are over 70.
Why are seniors more at risk? Age makes abnormal changes in cells more common. These changes can include cancer.
They may be more likely to have luminal cancers as they age instead of aggressive basal-like tumors, but they can still show up.
Seniors are more likely to be diagnosed based on symptoms than regular screenings. They also tend to have comorbid conditions that can affect their available treatment options.
They may also respond to treatment differently. Chemotherapy, for example, requires a careful schedule that seniors may struggle to keep up with.
Doctors can also misdiagnose a patient's functional age because it's so different for every senior. Even individual residents of independent living in Glendale, AZ, all have different support needs. This makes it challenging to find the treatment that's right for them.
There isn't enough research into breast cancer in seniors. They can be excluded from clinical trials based on their age or health. There isn't enough information on how cancer affects seniors, which can leave doctors scratching their heads.
Breast cancer often goes unnoticed until it becomes advanced. That's partially because many men and women don't take the time to check for it until it's too late.
Do self-checks between professional screenings to catch early indicators. Warning signs to look out for include:
Contact your healthcare provider right away if you notice these signs and they begin to concern you. It's especially important if they come along with other concerning symptoms. Pay attention to:
One fortunate thing is that the best cancer prevention tips are simple. They involve small changes to your lifestyle and health routine.
Keep your weight down. Having a larger body mass increases your risk of getting breast cancer. This is especially true in postmenopausal women.
Create an exercise routine. Get moving for 30 minutes a day, five times a week.
It doesn't have to be a chore. Finding activities and amenities that get your heart pumping, such as sports groups, lets you enjoy it with friends.
Staying active doesn't just help you maintain a healthy weight. It also reduces breast cancer recurrence and helps you deal with symptoms.
Limit your alcohol consumption. It's been shown to potentially increase estrogen and damage genes.
Stop using alcohol as well. It's one of the top causes of all types of cancers.
Pay attention to what you're eating. Try to limit your consumption of red or processed meats such as beef and sausages.
Instead, try to maintain a diet that's rich in:
It's important to remember that there's no such thing as a breast-cancer-fighting superfood. There is no diet that determines you won't be affected.
Regular screenings can help prevent all forms of cancer. They're also an essential part of early detection in aging adults.
It's best to get a mammogram every year once you turn 40 if you're at average risk. Get clinical breast exams every 3 years at age 25 and every year once you turn 40.
Seniors should also discuss how often screening needs to be done as they age. It's an essential part of aging and women's health, and it affects men as well.
Breast cancer, like any cancer, happens when cells start growing out of control. They multiply faster than the body can handle. It often turns the cells into lumps.
This can happen for any number of reasons, and there is no single main cause. Age is only one contributing factor. Others include:
While most cases are slow-growing, breast cancer can develop quickly between mammograms. It can show up within a year. This is known as an interval cancer because it grows in the intervals between tests.
How fast it grows depends on factors such as:
Breast cancer typically goes to the lymph nodes in the armpit or breastbone. That common movement is known as a regional spread.
It can go anywhere from there if it enters the bloodstream or lymphatic system. This includes:
Studies of breast cancer risk by age show it increases as you get older. Screenings and healthy lifestyles help prevent it.
Westgate Village in Glendale, AZ, is an independent living community with supportive services. Enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle with chef-prepared meals, easy-to-access entertainment, and readily available supportive staff.
Contact us to discuss joining our community today.