Breast Cancer Awareness for Seniors in Melbourne, FL
Breast cancer awareness is one of the most important senior screening tips for maintaining your health and well-being. By keeping an eye out for the warning signs of breast cancer and engaging in prevention tactics, you can significantly reduce your chances of developing breast cancer and resolve potential issues quickly.
The American Cancer Society reports that almost 400,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed this year. Unfortunately, breast cancer remains one of the most common diagnoses for women, especially senior women.
In this article, we will explore some of the elements of breast cancer awareness for seniors in Melbourne, FL, from warning signs to look for to prevention techniques. Let's begin.
What Are Five Warning Signs of Breast Cancer?
To catch cancer early and increase your chances of remission, it is important to look closely for signs and symptoms. Here are some of the key warning signs to search for that may signal you have cancer.
1. Changes in Visual Appearance
Examine your breasts and note any visible changes in:
- Size
- Color
- Shape
Although most breasts aren't completely symmetrical, you know your body best and can identify if something has changed.
2. Changes in Skin Texture
Breast cancer often causes skin changes, such as dimpling and rippling. Feel for noticeable changes in skin texture, or look for new rashes.
3. Nipple Changes
Many changes in the nipple can signal developing breast cancer, such as:
- Inverted nipple
- Nipple discharge
- Change in nipple skin
4. New Lumps or Knots
During your regular self-examination, feel the insides of your breasts to the best of your ability. If you find a lump or knot that was not there before, consult your doctor immediately.
Additionally, feel the lymph nodes in your armpits to see if there are additional lumps there. This could indicate that the cancer has spread beyond the primary breast tissue
5. Pain and Discomfort
Pain and discomfort in your breasts are also red flags. See if you can identify the pain coming from a specific area, as this may be useful information for your doctor when examining you for breast cancer.
What Are Five Ways to Prevent Breast Cancer?
No form of cancer is completely preventable, but there are certainly ways that you can lessen your risk of developing breast cancer while still maintaining an active and fulfilling lifestyle. Here are some steps to take today that may lower your risk.
1. Avoid Excessive Alcohol Consumption
While an occasional drink with friends or a glass of wine with dinner is nothing to worry about, you shouldn't indulge excessively in alcohol. Since alcohol damages your DNA, drinking can lead to the development of cancerous cells.
2. Look for Family Occurrences
Ask family members if there is a history of breast cancer in your family tree. If so, consider getting genetically tested for the BRCA gene, which heightens the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
3. Maintain a Healthy Diet
Try to fill your meal plan with nutrient-dense foods, rather than processed or unhealthy options. At Discovery Village at Melbourne, our chef-prepared meals ensure you receive adequate nutrition every day through delicious, home-cooked food.
4. Exercise Frequently
Movement is essential for seniors who want to maintain mobility and independence, but it can also play a vital role in preventing cancer. Try to exercise every day and find activities that you enjoy.
5. Perform Regular Self-Examinations
While annual mammograms are crucial for catching breast cancer early, you are the first line of defense. Check your breast tissue regularly and immediately contact your doctor if you spot any abnormal issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Correlation Between Aging and Women's Health?
Although menopause typically occurs in your forties or fifties, your body still experiences changes during your golden years. Following menopause, bone loss may accelerate, which can lead to conditions such as osteoporosis.
Your hormonal structure may change permanently as a result of menopause, which in turn can disrupt your sleep patterns and natural circadian rhythm.
How Can I Support a Loved One With Breast Cancer?
Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis is devastating. If someone close to you is diagnosed with breast cancer, it can be difficult to determine how you can help.
Ask your loved one what you can do to support them. This may be difficult for people who are hyperindependent or do not want to be a burden on others.
Some ways you can support your loved one with breast cancer include:
- Preparing freezer meals or purchasing a gift card to their favorite restaurant
- Cleaning their home or paying for a cleaning service
- Offering to take them to and from appointments, such as screenings, chemotherapy, and radiation
- Listening to them if they need to vent or complain
- Assisting with pet care or child care as needed
What Are Some Senior Screening Tips for Breast Cancer?
For seniors, screening for breast cancer regularly is paramount, since the risk of contracting breast cancer grows exponentially as you age. With the right prevention education, you can screen yourself properly and encourage others in your Melbourne retirement community to do the same.
Discuss your mammogram frequency with your doctor. Seniors should ideally receive annual mammograms, or even more often for those deemed high risk, such as carriers of the BRCA gene.
Breast density is also a critical factor that can influence the effectiveness of breast cancer screenings. Cancer may not be detectable for women with denser breast tissue until it begins to spread, which can impact the chances of survival.
Breast Cancer Awareness at Discovery Village at Melbourne
Breast cancer awareness is crucial for memory care wellness and assisted living health support. With this guide, you can identify issues early on and resolve them accordingly, giving yourself much better chances of healing if the diagnosis is breast cancer.
At Discovery Village at Melbourne, we prioritize the health and well-being of our residents. We offer exclusive programs like chef-prepared dining and senior-centered fitness classes, all so our residents can experience a high quality of life.
Are you ready to transition to independent living, assisted living, or memory care? Reach out to us today to learn more about our beautiful community, or schedule a tour to see our Melbourne, FL, location for yourself. We can't wait to meet you!