Breast Cancer and our seniors
It is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I would like to help in any way possible. Breast cancer is one of the senior population’s most significant causes of mortality. It is the most common cause of death among women in the world. The risk of breast cancer increases with age. One-third of women aged 70 years and older are the most. Unfortunately, most older women fail to receive adequate treatment for breast cancer as compared to their younger counterparts. Dealing with this can cause strain on you as the caregiver. This can affect your personal and work life as well.
Male Breast Cancer
Male breast cancer is sporadic but has recently been showing up. Less than one percent of all breast cancer cases develop in men, and only one in a thousand men will ever be diagnosed with breast cancer. Men have higher mortality than women, primarily because awareness among men is less, and they are less likely to assume a lump is breast cancer, which can cause a delay in seeking treatment. The signs and symptoms are the same for both men and women.
Breast Cancer and the caregiver
Attending to your loved one with breast cancer can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. With the proper knowledge, you can do this. Remember to care for yourself and keep your business going while serving as the caregiver. I’m here to assist you on this journey; schedule your planning session with me so we can look at how to keep your life and your business running smoothly. Also, check out my caregiving store to give you more help.
My story
Breast cancer is not in my family, but I had trouble conceiving a child and had to take many hormones. In 2000, after my daughter was born, I found a lump under my armpit. I went in for a mammogram, and they spotted it. I then had to go through an ultrasound and biopsy. It was benign, but I have had to have it checked yearly with a diagnostic mammogram. I am worried now because I am in my 50s and beginning menopause. Also, I have been taking Sprintec birth control for twenty years, and on my last exam, the doctor told me to continue to take them. I wonder if this is going to hurt me.
A Friend’s Story
I have also had a friend’s grandmother passed away from breast cancer. She was a woman that took excellent care of herself and felt she didn’t need doctors. But unfortunately, she collapsed in the kitchen and was admitted to the hospital. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer, metastasizing to her liver and other organs. This situation might have been prevented or caught earlier if she had taken different steps. Unfortunately, she passed away several days later at 67 years old. This could have been prevented if she had had regular mammograms yearly.
What our senior mothers & fathers should know about breast cancer
The risk of breast cancer increases with age. Therefore, older women are at a high risk of contracting this deadly disease. Furthermore, breast cancer is the second most common form after lung cancer. This in itself speaks volumes of the situation. Therefore, we must educate our mothers and other senior women about this deadly disease. Here are some of the risk factors for our aging mothers to take note of:
Lack of physical activity
Leading a sedentary lifestyle is also attributed to high risk.
Weight of the elderly women
Older women tend to put on weight after menopause and are at high risk.
Smoking and alcohol abuse
Women who smoke and drink alcohol are at an increased risk.
Age of menopause
Women who get menopause after the age of 55 years are more likely to get breast cancer, probably due to prolonged exposure to estrogen.
Use of oral contraceptive pills for more than five years.
Dense breast tissues
According to the findings of recent studies, a woman’s likelihood of getting breast cancer is increased by a factor of six if she has thick breasts. In addition, having dense breasts makes it more challenging to diagnose breast cancer in a patient.
We have our first pregnancy after the age of 30 years.
Family history of breast cancer
A woman’s chances of acquiring breast cancer are significantly raised if there is a history of the disease in her family.
Use of Hormone Replacement Therapy
The use of hormone replacement treatment has been linked to a significantly increased risk of developing breast cancer. The percentage of women who adhere to this therapy has seen a substantial reduction as of late.
Genetic
Approximately 5- 10% of all occurrences of breast cancer can be traced back to inherited mutations from the mother.
Exposure to radiation
Radiation therapy for diseases other than breast cancer is given to young patients under the age of 30. The risk, however, is much increased.
Symptoms of breast cancer in older women & men – signs to look for
An early diagnosis can lead to early treatment, which in turn can lead to a greater survival percentage. There are a variety of early indicators that could point to breast cancer. One of the most common symptoms, though, is swelling in the area beneath the armpit. In addition, there are a number of other symptoms that, taken together, may point to the presence of a tumor in the breast. These are the following:
Developing a breast lump
Changes in the way the breast skin feels, like when it gets thicker or goes red.
Changes in the way the breasts are shaped
Collarbone or breast enlargement
A strange smell coming from the breasts
The changes in the nipple
Changes in how the breasts look
Nipples that are sore or hurt
A feeling of warmth or itching in the breast
The area directly below the armpits
In most cases, breast cancer will manifest itself in this location first. This is due to the fact that the lymphatic fluids in this region drain the liquid from the breast. Your elderly loved one may discover a lump in the armpit region; if it persists for more than a week, a medical evaluation is required. Although the formation of a lump does not necessarily indicate the presence of cancer, it is in everyone’s best interest to have it examined as soon as possible.
Providing care for a loved one who has been diagnosed with breast cancer
It is critical to begin treatment as soon as possible when a loved one has been diagnosed with a sickness. The patient’s age is the primary factor considered when choosing the appropriate course of treatment. Patients above the age of 80 who have breast cancer are required to adhere to a treatment plan that is distinct from the standard protocol.
However, there are a significant number of elderly women who report feeling disoriented and who are unsure of what to anticipate following treatment and surgery. For instance, a lot of people don’t realize that they might not be able to elevate their arms for a few days after they’ve had surgery. These kinds of shifts are virtually inevitable, and those who care for the elderly need to ensure that their charges are well-informed about the symptoms associated with them. The caregiver, in addition to the attending physician, is able to provide the required information regarding what to anticipate after the completion of the therapy.
Here are some recommendations for how to make life easier for your loved ones when they finish therapy.
After having surgery, they might need to help to find clothes that fit right.
The garments that are worn should be ones that are not only comfy but also very easy to put on. Following surgery, it will be difficult to lift the affected arm because of this. Pick out clothes that have pockets and fasteners on the front. Wear post-surgical bras that are comfortable and have front closures.
Nutrition is essential for people who are fighting cancer.
Provide your patients with a healthy diet that is abundant in protein and balanced overall. In addition to that, make sure that they have access to a sufficient amount of fluids throughout the day. This will assist patients in combating weariness, which typically occurs during recuperation and after surgery.
A small amount of exercise can do a lot and help someone get better.
Even though it could seem intimidating at first, starting off with workouts that are quite easy might be beneficial.
It would be best not to allow the illness to overpower them.
During the times when they don’t have the motivation to get out of bed, you have a responsibility to keep them happy and ensure that they are comfortable. You as a caregiver need to be aware that your senior patients may have some rough days following their surgery. In the event that they were overcome with exhaustion and body aches, which prevented them from getting out of bed, it was best just to leave them alone and do what you could to make them more comfortable.
You can enroll your elderly in a meditation class.
They will find it much easier to unwind and calm down due to this.
Get some fresh air and socialize.
Getting together with friends, going for a walk in the park, or even just sitting outside in the fresh air and taking in the scenery are all excellent options. The elderly can also benefit from this in terms of comfort, relaxation, and revitalization.
Don’t forget to offer your senior loved ones some “me time.”
Your older patients might take advantage of this time to relax and enjoy gentle massages.
The good news is that breast cancer can be treated in older women and men.
It is still more common for older women to suffer from breast cancer. More than fifty percent of newly diagnosed cases are found in people aged sixty and older. The idea that there is a correlation between age and the likelihood of being diagnosed with breast cancer is an intriguing discovery that has come to light. However, the likelihood of passing away as a result of it drops dramatically. This further indicates that older men and women who have the condition are at a reduced risk of passing away as a result of the sickness.
In addition, older women and men with breast cancer tumors have easier access to treatment options than younger women and men have as compared to younger women and men. The reason for this is that the kinds of breast cancers that can grow at this age have hormone receptors. Aromatase inhibitors, which prevent estrogen from entering malignant cells and make treatment of these tumors simpler, are the drugs of choice. On the other hand, older women who develop tumors that do not respond to estrogen will need to undergo conventional treatment in order to eradicate the cancer cells.
What can I do to be of assistance?
Having this responsibility might be stressful because you can’t be in two places at once, taking care of both your company and a loved one who needs your attention at the same time. Consider bringing in some additional assistance. This will provide you the opportunity to rest while ensuring that the needs of your loved one are met.
Or perhaps you would like to spend more time with the person you care about while taking a break from mundane work responsibilities such as sending emails, returning phone calls, or managing files. Let’s have a conversation about the ways in which I can be of assistance to you so that you can focus on taking care of your company and your loved ones.
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Conclusion
Breast cancer is a difficult and potentially fatal illness if the diagnosis is not made in a timely manner; on the other hand, the disease’s prognosis can be great and it can be treated if it is detected in its early stages. As a result, anyone providing care for a patient should always be on the alert for symptoms that are not typical. It is imperative that you consult a medical professional at the first appearance of any concerning symptom. Making a plan to have a mammogram, dental checkup, and annual physical is the best thing that you can do for your health. And for the sake of your own organization, make it the same month every single year.
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