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Breast Cancer Awareness for Seniors

By Shayne Fitz-Coy |

pink doggie

Alert1 recognizes that although many great strides have been made in breast cancer awareness and treatment, there remains much to be accomplished. The chance that a woman will get breast cancer increases from 1-in-233 for a woman in her thirties, to 1-in-8 for a woman in her eighties. This makes breast cancer vulnerable to seniors. Even though the average diagnosis age is 62, studies show that women in this age group are not as concerned about developing breast cancer as they once were. Fortunately, there is hope. This month Alert1 wants to help you start an open dialogue with your aging loved ones on breast cancer awareness. 

Family caregivers play an important role in early detection for their loved ones. When detected early, breast cancer is treated successfully 98% of the time. On-going advancements in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer have resulted in a gradual decrease in death rates since 1990. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and, if you are a family caregiver, there is no time like the present to be sure your loved ones are being properly screened.

Early Intervention for Older Adult Women

pink ribbon in a bowl of leaves
 Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast. The damaged cells can invade surrounding tissue or spread (metastasize) to other areas of the body. Educating yourself on the symptoms of cancer is key to health and wellness. Some of the potential signs of breast cancer include a bloody discharge or retraction of the nipple, a change in size and contour of the breast, and a flattening, redness, or pitting of skin over the breast. Abnormalities or lumps within the breast are the more common symptoms. If you detect a lump, it’s recommended that you wait through one menstrual cycle as the breast changes throughout the cycle. 

Become a She-ro and advocate for breast cancer prevention today. Outlined below are Alert1's breast cancer prevention tips for the savvy senior:

  • Remind your loved one to perform a breast self-exam at least once a month and be sure they know how perform it properly.
  • Call your loved one’s doctor and be sure a clinical breast exam is performed during their annual exam.
  • Help your loved one schedule her annual mammogram, which is the key screening process.

You can also set a good example for your loved one by setting up an early detection plan for yourself. You’ll increase your own chances of detecting breast cancer in its early stages. In addition to your doctor, there are valuable online resources you can use to find answers to your questions or build a support group. Learn more about breast cancer and read inspiring stories from breast cancer survivors at Beyond The Shock. Keep hope alive by joining a support community for breast cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones at MyNBCF.

Alert1 Joins the Fight Against Breast Cancer

seniors at breast cancer walk, with mobile medical alert

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women. The United States is currently home to 2.6 million breast cancer survivors and another woman is diagnosed with breast cancer approximately every 2.5 minutes. Those statistics were so staggering to us that Alert1 had to get involved. During our “Breast Cancer Awareness Promo” from October 18th – October 31st, Alert1 will be donating $1.00 from every order to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The mission of BCRF is to “achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime;” 91 cents of every dollar they spend goes towards breast cancer research and increasing public awareness about good breast health. We chose BCRF because their funding helps save lives, improve the quality of patient care, and keep survivors healthy.

We have been helping seniors stay safe and independent for years, but not all of our clients are seniors; many of them are fighting diseases such as breast cancer or other forms of cancer. Alert1 supports BCRF because we also stand for wellness and positive, healthy living. Keep your loved ones safe and help support a cause that benefits women everywhere. Spread the awareness about breast cancer today!

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