RNS: Older women and breat cancer
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Breast cancer remains threat for older women
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Women over the age of 65 are just as much at risk for getting breast cancer as women half their age. But most are unaware of this fact, and as a result, aren’t getting regular breast cancer screening. Here’s Andi McDonnell with more.
Despite recent examples of young and middle-aged celebrities being diagnosed with breast cancer, more than half of breast cancers happen in women over age 65.
That’s why experts at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center recommend women continue to receive yearly breast screenings through their 70s.
Dr. Kathleen Diehl (M.D.), an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Michigan Medical School, tells us…
“Women don’t seem to take the risk of breast cancer as they get older seriously. I think a lot of women seem to think of it as a middle-aged disease and as they get older they anticipate that if they were going to get it, they would have already had it and therefore they don’t take screening as seriously.”
More than half of breast cancers are diagnosed in women age 65 or older, and as many as 45 percent are diagnosed after age 70.
Older women who do not follow regular screening guidelines often are diagnosed at a later stage, when breast cancer is more difficult to treat.
According to Diehl...
“It’s always better to find breast cancer at an early stage; that’s why we emphasize screening so much. The earlier we find it, the better we can treat it, the better your survival from it.”
Right now, breast cancer specialists, including Diehl, are working on guidelines for screening older women. In the meantime, Diehl recommends all women continue to get screened for breast cancer past the age of 70 and at least up till age 85.
Screening should include these three items: Yearly mammograms, yearly clinical breast exams with a health care provider, and monthly breast self-exams.
Diehl says even women older than 85 should continue to be screened for breast cancer, especially if they are in good health…
“The bottom line message that I really want every woman over the age of 65 to really understand is that they need to continue to take care of their health. They need to continue to be diligent about getting in to see their physician for health maintenance exams, including a breast exam, and about getting that mammogram done every year. If they develop breast cancer we want to catch it early, when we have the best chance of treating it and continue to keep them feeling well and living a long time.”
Andi McDonnell, U-M Health System News.
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