Observing Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October can give you access to helpful resources. Learn more about breast cancer symptoms, treatments, and prevention tips.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer accounts for 30% of all new female cancers annually. About 42,170 women will die from breast cancer in 2025. The median age at the time of diagnosis is 62.
Promoting Breast Cancer Awareness can help you gather helpful resources. You’ll have an easier time recognizing signs and symptoms, allowing you to begin immediate treatment.
Prioritize your health while living in Athens, GA. Read on to support breast cancer awareness in aging seniors.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
According to the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer is the second-leading cause of death from cancer in American women. Cancer cells begin growing inside milk ducts and/or milk-producing lobules in the breast.If left untreated, tumors can spread throughout the body before becoming fatal.
Common types of breast cancer include:
- Lobular breast cancer
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
- Invasive ductal carcinoma (DC)
Less common types include:
- Paget’s disease of the breast
- Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC)
- Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)
You can find more women’s health education resources regarding breast cancer through your local senior living community.
Proactive Aging Tips
Proactively manage your health after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis by:
- Exercising regularly
- Eating a healthy, nutrient-dense diet
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Getting seven to nine hours of sleep each night
- Managing stress
- Scheduling regular follow-up appointments
You can find engaging exercise classes through your senior living community’s fitness program. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly and resistance training twice a week.
Excess weight and obesity may increase your risk of breast cancer. It can also worsen outcomes after a diagnosis. Chronic obesity may accelerate the growth of basal-like breast cancer.
Try eating less meat and more whole foods (including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains). A higher intake of red meat and animal fat may increase your risk.
Instead, try to eat a plant-based diet. Fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants, which are associated with a lower risk. You can find healthy dishes through your senior living community’s dining program.
Helping Friends
If you have a friend who is battling breast cancer, try to offer practical support.For example, you can:
- Shop for groceries and/or cook
- Sweep, vacuum, and mop
- Wash and fold clothes
- Walk to the dog
- Drive them to and from appointments
- Babysit
- Take children to or from school
What Are Mammograms?
Mammograms are vital for early breast cancer detection.To prepare for your screening appointment, follow these senior health screening tips:
- Don’t apply deodorant or other products to your chest, breasts, or underarms
- Wear a two-piece outfit (to remove your top and bra for the mammogram)
- Choose comfortable, flat shoes
- Don’t wear long earrings or necklaces
- Eat and take medication as normal
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women ages 40 to 74 schedule a mammogram every two years. Early detection makes breast cancer easier to treat.
Treatments for breast cancer include:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Hormonal therapy
- Biological therapy
- Radiation therapy
Consult your doctor to determine which treatment options best suit your needs. They can explain the risks and benefits of each treatment type.
What Are Five Warning Signs of Breast Cancer?
The five warning signs of breast cancer are:
- Changes to breast size or shape
- A new lump or thickening in the breast
- Nipple retraction, discharge, or changes in nipple appearance (including redness or scaling)
- Pain or discomfort in the breast
- Skin changes (dimpling, puckering, or thickening)
Let a doctor know if you experience these symptoms right away. However, some people with breast cancer don’t show signs or symptoms. Schedule routine mammograms for early detection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Five Ways to Prevent Breast Cancer?
Five ways to prevent breast cancer include:
- Avoiding tobacco and alcohol
- Limiting hormone replacement therapy (HRT), especially a combination of estrogen and progestin
- Getting regular exercise
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a healthy, nutritious diet
Drinking alcohol is a leading modifiable risk factor for breast cancer. Alcohol may increase estrogen in the blood while causing DNA damage.
Up to 6% of cancer diagnoses and 4% of deaths are linked to alcohol use. Breast cancer is one of the six types of cancer associated with alcohol use. Studies show that the more alcohol women drink, the higher the risk (women who have one drink a day have a 7 to 10% higher risk compared to non-drinkers).
What Should You Say to Someone With Breast Cancer?
When talking to someone with breast cancer, try to be an active listener by:
- Hearing and understanding how they feel
- Not judging or trying to change how they feel
- Letting them know you’re available to listen
It’s normal for someone who is fighting breast cancer to feel angry, depressed, or withdrawn. Try to show your support.
When speaking, try to ensure your responses are honest and heartfelt. For example:
- “I’m sorry to hear that you’re going through this”
- “I’m not sure what to say, but I want you to know I care”
- “If you want to talk about it, I’m here”
- “Please let me know how I can help”
It’s normal to make mistakes. However, try to avoid:
- Expecting them to take care of your needs ahead of their own
- Overpromising
- Overused phrases like “everything will be okay” or “stay positive”
- Saying nothing
- Judgmental phrases like “maybe you should have exercised more”
- Sharing traumatic stories about breast cancer
Prioritize Athens, GA Retirement Wellness
This October, observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month by helping friends in your Athens community learn more about breast cancer. Together, you can improve your overall health and longevity by exercising, adjusting your diet, and scheduling routine mammograms.
Remember, you can find more resources through your senior living community. TerraBella Epps Bridge opens up to a spectacular view of the area’s natural beauty. Our person-centric approach includes senior-specific amenities, engaging activities, and on-site supportive services.
Enjoy chef-prepared meals through Sensations Dining, Celebrations Activities & Events like off-site museum tours and Tech Tuesday classes, and Dimensions Health & Fitness classes. Contact us now to schedule your tour.
