The month of October is observed and celebrated as the Breast Cancer awareness month committed to educating and researching about the condition and to celebrate the survivors and their stories.
Breast cancer is one of the most common life-threatening conditions in women. The chance of developing the cancer increases with age, with about a third of the patients being older than 70.The elderly however, have very low survival and recuperation rate if compared to younger patients. This is due to late diagnosis, pre-existing health issues, under treatment etc. This is a strong reason to be concerned about- especially in seniors.
It is important that women- and their loved ones know and identify the warning signs and are aware of the prevention, test, and treatment options.
Symptoms of breast cancer
- Lumps or warts in the breast tissues
- Unusual, sticky fluid discharge
- A lump or swelling in the armpits
- Change in shape or size of the breast
- Dimpling of the breast skin to imitate an orange peel etc
Read more about the symptoms here.
Even though cancer is not fully preventable, there are certain lifestyle changes that can be made to reduce the risk of breast cancer.
1. Maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle
Having a balanced, healthy diet along with regular exercise can help maintain a healthy weight. If you have been through menopause, it is a particularly good idea to maintain an optimum, healthy weight as being overweight causes more oestrogen to be produced by the body, which increases the risk of cancer.
2. Get tested Periodically
Age and genetics greatly matter when breast cancer risks are considered. If you have had a history of breast cancer in your family, then there is a higher chance of getting the condition.
It is imperative to get periodically tested and get mammograms to maintain breast health. Apart from this, self-examine your breast to spot any unusual changes and report it to your doctor.
Find out how to perform a self-examination here.
3. Limit or avoid alcohol consumption
Alcohol consumption has been linked to breast cancer and increases the risk, even if low amounts are taken. It is recommended to stick to 1 alcoholic drink a day if necessary.
4. Avoid Post-menopausal hormones
Studies have shown that post-menopausal hormone therapy has a mixed effect on the health of women, causing risks of some diseases. both oestrogen only hormones and oestrogen-plus-progestin hormones increase the risk of breast cancer.
What more can be done?
Take responsibility for your own body. Be aware of the signs and symptoms and if you feel that you may have any of the warning signs. Do not waste any time in contacting the doctor. Since the recovery rate in elderly patients is much lower than the younger counterparts, it is important that the diagnosis is carried out at the right time.
Elders with Breast cancer must be given timely treatment and proper care. If you are looking to hire professional care to look after the elderly suffering from breast cancer, reach out to us at Visiting Angels.
Find out more about our services here.
Photo by Angiola Harry on Unsplash.