Senior Health: Breast Cancer Awareness in Aging Adults

Victoria Senior Home Care  |  October 23, 2017

What Every Senior in Victoria, BC Needs to Know About Breast Cancer Risks and Treatments

Breast Cancer Awareness | October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and is a time to discuss the most crucial elements of prevention and early detection measures. Comfort Keepers® Victoria supports bringing awareness and reminding people, especially seniors, of the importance of annual screenings and self-exams. Breast cancer presents several risk factors of which you should be aware.

Breast Cancer Awareness and Associated Risks

According to research, some essential risk factors can cause a woman’s chance of getting breast cancer to increase. Many of the factors are commonly known, while others may not be so familiar. Here are a few risk factors:

• Adolescent weight gain
• Late menopause
• No pregnancies
• Late pregnancies
• Increased breast tissue density
• Juvenile chest radiation
• Oral contraceptives (long-term use)
• Post-menopausal weight gain

Keep in mind that most senior women with one or more of the above do not develop breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Awareness and Screening Expectations

The time leading up to the screening can be filled with anxiety, fear and sometimes fear. It helps to have a better concept of what to expect from the screening. The process is a simple one and once you’ve scheduled the appointment, the hard part is over.

A screening consists of a mammogram, which is an x-ray of the breast area. It can detect cancer before the development of a lump, pain or other physical signs. X-ray technicians usually perform mammograms in a private room or area. Precautions are taken to ensure that the process is as comfortable as possible to prevent unnecessary stress or delays in the exam.

Clothing is removed from the waist up and a gown is supplied to wear while being screened. The breasts are placed between two plastic plates, and once an x-ray is taken of each breast, the screening process is complete. This part of the process is a bit uncomfortable for most, but it is extremely necessary to ensure that the tissue surrounding the breast is flattened to provide a clear image.

If there are no issues with the results of the screening, a letter is usually received within 30 days of the initial screening. If the doctor has any concerns regarding the results of the screening, seniors are usually called to return to the office within 5 days for additional testing.

Take a family member or home health care professional along for support during the exam.

Breast Cancer Awareness and the Treatment Process

When breast cancer is detected, the stage is determined and a treatment plan is devised by the medical team. Options or suggested plans are discussed with the patient and any questions can be asked and addressed at this time.

Common breast cancer treatments include:

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Hormone therapy
• Chemotherapy

The medical team considers the stage of the cancer, clinical history, and preferences of all involved before moving forward with prescribed treatment. Aging is a leading factor in abnormal changes in cells. Older women have a greater chance of developing breast cancer. Therefore, seniors must keep all doctor’s appointments and schedule annual mammograms. Family members and home health care professionals can be especially during treatments. 

At Comfort Keepers® Victoria we feel that home is the best place to be.

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with 24-hour care, senior care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, senior living transition services, and much more! 

Comfort Keepers® Victoria Provides In-Home Elderly Care Services

Comfort Keepers® trained caregivers help provide senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Comfort Keepers® Victoria In-Home Caregivers Can Help with Interactive Caregiving™

Our philosophy is to elevate the human spirit and our caregivers will be there every step of the way to ensure your loved one has a better quality of life. Personal and empathetic care is care that starts in the heart, and it allows us to meet our client’s exact needs. Learn more about our unique service which offers personal care, companionship care, palliative care, and end-of-life care by contacting the Comfort Keepers Victoria office.

Comfort Keepers® Victoria is proud to provide senior care and home care services to keep seniors safe in their homes.

If you are searching for home care near me, Comfort Keepers® Victoria can provide home care for the seniors of Victoria and the surrounding areas of Colwood, Saanich, Sidney, James Bay, and Oak Bay. Please call (778) 265-5999 and learn how your loved ones can receive compassionate, professional in-home care.

Comfort Keepers® Victoria has been accredited with Exemplary Standing with Accreditation Canada. Accreditation is an intensive process in which industry experts examine an organization’s processes, policies, and procedures against a set of quality standards. To achieve accredited status, Comfort Keepers offices met or exceeded the rigorous standards for Home Care companies, as defined by Accreditation Canada.

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