Breast Cancer Awareness for Older Adults in Fayetteville

Written By: Fayetteville
Breast Cancer Awareness for Older Adults in Fayetteville

Support Breast Cancer Awareness by taking preventive measures, including adjusting your diet and exercising. These lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of breast cancer.

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, breast cancer death rates in the US have dropped by 44% since 1999. This is largely due to increased early detection and advanced treatments. However, many people don't know how to spot the early signs, ensuring they begin immediate treatment.

For Breast Cancer Awareness month this October, encourage senior health education. Staying informed while living in Fayetteville, NC, can help you take action if needed. Read on to learn more about the correlation between aging and cancer risk.

Breast Cancer Awareness

According to Breastcancer.org, breast cancer affects 2.3 million women worldwide. About 2,800 American men will be diagnosed in 2025, with about 510 expected to die from the disease. 

Risk factors of developing breast cancer include:

  • Being older (breast cancer is often found in women aged 50 and older)
  • Changes in your BRCA1 and BRCA2
  • Being a woman
  • Having a family history of breast or ovarian cancer
  • Previously receiving radiation therapy
  • Having exposure to the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES)
  • Starting menstrual periods before age 12 and starting menopause after age 55
  • Having dense breasts
  • Having a personal history of breast cancer or certain noncancerous breast diseases

Treatments

Treatment options for breast cancer include:

  • Surgery (lumpectomy, mastectomy, sentinel node biopsy)
  • Radiation therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Hormone therapy
  • Targeted therapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Palliative care

A diagnosis can feel overwhelming and stressful. Consider learning more about your breast cancer. Gathering information can help you make informed decisions regarding your care.

Try talking with other breast cancer survivors. You can find support groups and other resources through the American Cancer Society. Your local senior living community may also host support group meetings.

Consider talking to a friend or family member about how you're feeling. Having a support group during your treatment can make coping easier.

What Are Five Ways to Prevent Breast Cancer?

There are risk factors of breast cancer that you can change and control. Breast cancer prevention strategies for women include:

  • Staying physically active
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Avoiding hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
  • Not drinking alcohol
  • Having a full-term pregnancy and breastfeeding

Making healthy lifestyle changes may help lower your risk. Try to stay at a healthy weight. Explore your senior living community's fitness program for exercise classes, such as:

  • Pilates
  • Tai chi
  • Walking
  • Hiking
  • Yoga
  • Weight lifting
  • Resistance training

Aim for 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise weekly or 75 minutes of vigorous activity. Aerobic activity will get your heart pumping. Activities include running and swimming.

Build muscle to improve your metabolism. Try weight lifting or resistance training twice a week.

Try eating a healthy, balanced diet. You can find delicious, nutritious dishes through your senior living community's dining program. Prioritize eating nutritious whole foods, which are rich in antioxidants. 

Choose a senior living community that offers assisted living wellness programs, including memory care awareness. Their services can improve your health, longevity, and quality of life. 

What Should You Not Do When You Have Breast Cancer?

If you're diagnosed with breast cancer, adjust your diet to exclude:

  • Spicy, acidic, or crunchy foods
  • Alcohol
  • Red and processed meats
  • Undercooked foods or raw fish
  • Raw nuts
  • Sugar-sweetened beverages
  • Highly processed foods and refined grains

If you believe you're at a high risk of developing breast cancer, consider:

  • Scheduling more frequent breast exams
  • Seeking genetic counseling and testing
  • Beginning breast cancer screening tests at an earlier age
  • Medicines or surgery to prevent breast cancer

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Five Warning Signs of Breast Cancer?

Five common warning signs of breast cancer are:

  • Nipple discharge (other than breast milk, including blood)
  • Dimpling or puckering of the skin on the breast
  • Swelling, redness, warmth, or darkening of the breast
  • A lump, thickening, or hard knot inside the breast or underarm
  • A change in the shape or size of the breast

If you experience these symptoms, consult a doctor right away.

These warning signs aren't the same for every woman. Try noting any changes in the feel or appearance of your breasts or nipples. While these aren't necessarily indicators of breast cancer, they are signs that you should see your doctor.

You can complete a breast self-exam (BSE), a step-by-step examination you can do at home. A BSE can help you detect early warning signs of breast cancer.

How Long is the Average Lifespan of a Person With Breast Cancer?

Factors that help determine someone's life expectancy after a breast cancer diagnosis include:

  • How far the cancer has spread
  • How the cancer behaves
  • Health status before diagnosis
  • Age
  • How well the treatment works
  • Gender
  • Stage
  • Race and ethnicity

According to the American Cancer Society, here are the relative survival rates for US women diagnosed with breast cancer:

  • 91% at five years post-diagnosis
  • 84% after 10 years
  • 80% after 15 years

What Is the Best Diet for Breast Cancer Prevention?

Diet may influence the risk of breast cancer.For example, being obese or overweight is a risk factor. Excess body fat causes inflammation and hormone changes that can increase the risk of breast cancer.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet may lower inflammation, reducing your risk. The Mediterranean diet, which focuses on whole, minimally processed foods, may have a protective effect. Key components include:

  • Beans and lentils
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Whole grains
  • Herbs and spices
  • Fish
  • Small amounts of dairy

According to the American Cancer Society, about 30% of postmenopausal breast cancer diagnoses are linked to risk factors like diet. About 50 to 70% of breast cancers can be prevented, depending on when patients make healthy lifestyle changes.

Discover Assisted Living Wellness

Prioritizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October can help you take preventive measures. You can find senior health education opportunities through your local senior living community.

At TerraBella Fayetteville, we offer services designed to provide a lifestyle that enhances your life as you age. Discover our exclusive senior lifestyle programs, including events and activities like themed parties, on-site wellness programs like yoga classes, and chef-prepared meals. Contact us now to schedule your tour.

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