Has your mom had a breast cancer screening this year? If not, now is the time to get a screening scheduled for her. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and now is a great time to learn some facts about breast cancer and how home care services can support senior women.
Also, if you schedule your senior mom’s breast cancer screening in October every year, it will be easier to remember to schedule it.
Age Is A Risk Factor
You may not know this, but increasing age is a risk factor for developing breast cancer. And if your mom has other risk factors, like a mother or sister who had breast cancer, she absolutely should be getting a breast cancer screening every year.
It can be a struggle sometimes to get time off work or get a babysitter so that you can take your mom to a medical appointment. Home care can make it easier. If your mom has home care services, her care provider can take her to a breast cancer screening or other medical appointments.
During the month of October, make sure that you talk to your mom about breast cancer. Learn if there is a family history of cancer. Ask questions about how she’s feeling. And share some of these important facts about seniors and breast cancer with her:
Age Is the Biggest Risk Factor
The older a woman gets, the higher her risk of developing breast cancer. Age is actually the number one risk factor for this disease. About 8 out of 10 breast cancers happen in women who are age 50 or older.
This is because breast cells have had more years to go through changes and DNA damage that can lead to cancer. As women age, their bodies are also less able to repair these damaged cells. Even women with no family history can still get breast cancer simply due to age.
Family History and Genetics Matter
Women who have close relatives like a mother, sister, or daughter who’ve had breast cancer are at higher risk. This risk increases if the relative was diagnosed before age 50.
Some women inherit changes in certain genes, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, which can greatly raise the chance of getting breast cancer. Experts estimate that about 5–10% of breast cancer cases are linked to these inherited gene mutations. Even though most breast cancers are not caused by genetics, knowing your family history helps doctors decide when to start screening.
Lifestyle Choices Affect Risk
Lifestyle plays a big part in breast cancer risk, especially for older women.
Drinking alcohol increases estrogen levels, which can help breast cancer cells grow. Being inactive, which is something that many senior women struggle with, can lead to weight gain and higher levels of hormones that promote cancer growth.
If your mom is worried about her breast cancer risks and wants to be more active, a home care provider can help. Daily visits from a care provider can keep your mom motivated to eat a healthier diet and move more throughout the day. If your mom has mobility challenges, chair stretches and other movements can help her get more movement throughout the day.
Screening Saves Lives
Early detection is one of the most effective ways to fight breast cancer. Regular mammograms can find cancer before it causes symptoms, often when it’s easier to treat.
For older women, especially those in their 60s and 70s, continuing regular screenings is important because breast cancer risk continues to rise with age. According to the American Cancer Society, women aged 55 and older should get a mammogram every 1–2 years, as long as they are in good health.
Survival Rates Are Improving
More women are surviving breast cancer than ever before. Advances in screening and treatment have made a big difference.
Today, the 5-year survival rate for breast cancer in the U.S. is about 90%, and for cancers found early and limited to the breast, the rate is around 99%.
However, older women may face other health problems that can make treatment harder, such as heart disease or diabetes. That’s why early detection and regular screenings are so important.
Get Screened. Get Home Care
Schedule your mom a breast cancer screening now, while you’re thinking about it. And find out more about the benefits of home care services and how home care providers can help your mom stay healthy at home.
Providing exceptional Home Care in Oakton, VA, for seniors and families in the Northern Virginia area, including Arlington, Alexandria, McLean, Reston, Burke, Ashburn, Centreville, Springfield, Manassas, and Oakton. Call today to speak with our caring staff: (703) 272-8838.
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