Breast cancer is the most frequent kind of cancer in older females. According to the National Cancer Institute, a woman has a one-in-eight risk of acquiring breast cancer. The older a woman becomes, the more likely she is to be diagnosed with the condition. This is why it can be so important to be aware of breast cancer, what it is, how it happens, and how to support your senior mom if they are diagnosed with this cancer.
If your senior mom lives on her own and is diagnosed with breast cancer, you will want to make a care plan for the months ahead. In-home care providers can help a senior live independently but also battle cancer by helping them with everyday chores, transportation, medication reminders, healthy meals and more. Having in-home care providers is something that many seniors aging in place can benefit from, not just seniors diagnosed with cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, around 275,000 new breast cancer cases are identified each year, with over three million survivors. About half of newly diagnosed breast cancer cases are in women over 60, and another 20% are in women over 70. Women and their loved ones must be aware of the warning signs, causes, and forms of breast cancer and how to be tested, treated, and avoided.
Are There Different Types of Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is a broad term that refers to any type of cancer that develops in or around the breast. Though there are subtypes of cancer that affect specific areas of the breast. You will find two main types.
- Invasive- This type of cancer will start attacking healthy tissue outside of the breast.
- Non-invasive- When a senior gets diagnosed with non-invasive breast cancer, it is only attacking the breasts.
Other types of breast cancer include:
- Invasive Lobular Carcinoma LOBULAR CARCINOMA
- Inflammatory Breast Cancer
- Paget’s Disease
- Angiosarcoma
Even if treated early on, any of these tumors may return. If residual cells persist after cancer has already expanded, cancer may relapse in the same or a different location.
Keep in mind there is also a type of breast cancer that can affect elderly men too. However, it makes up for less than 1% of all cases. It is rarer but it does happen to men as well.
What Causes Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is produced by a mutation in breast cells, although it is unclear what causes that mutation. Whereas in the case of lung cancer, it is easy to point to a specific behavior such as smoking as the underlying cause, this is not the case with breast cancer. When a senior gets diagnosed it can be scary because there is nothing directly linked to it and no actions that may have led to this result. There are certain factors that may increase someone’s chance of getting it. Things like:
- Gender
- Age
- Genetics
- Race
- Dense Breast
- Family History
- Previous Cancer
These are not direct causes of being diagnosed with breast cancer but can contribute to someone’s likelihood of getting cancer.
If you are considering in-home care in Houston, TX, for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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