Pink and Grey
Why our senior community needs to be paying attention to Breast Cancer Awareness
October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and beyond the pageantry of seeing our favorite sports heroes adorned in pink uniforms for the month, there is a very real issue at hand that millions of Americans are coping with daily. A staggering 1 in 8 women develop breast cancer during the course of their lifetime (BreastCancer.org). We all agree that’s just too many. So, each year we come together in the month of October to bring awareness to the struggle. But, a recent stat that has come out about breast cancer should have the senior community paying particular attention.
Half of all newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer occur in women over the age of 60 (Harvard Health Publishing).
That number is expected to grow, and nearly 20% of those cases are in women over the age of 70 (Harvard Health Publishing)! So, what can senior women do to protect themselves and increase the odds of finding cancer early?
Maintain a healthy diet
Fruits and vegetables are high in carotenoids, and according to researchers at Harvard, high carotenoid levels can reduce cancer risk by as much as 19%.
Exercise
Most people put on weight after the age of 18, but the more you put on, the higher your risk of breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, women who gain 20 to 30 lbs. after high school carry a 40% higher risk of developing breast cancer.
Stop smoking
Smoking is a major risk factor among all forms of cancer, but it is particularly high-risk behavior for breast cancer. It’s not just smoking. Being exposed to secondhand smoke is dangerous as well!
Get regular exams
The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force suggests that women 50 and over should have a screening for breast cancer every 2 years until age 74. ALL women should be getting screened, but as you get older it gets more and more important!
If you haven’t been participating in regular breast cancer screenings, now is the time. This is one of the services offered by McGregor Amasa, and all of our residents have access to health care and preventative exams. To find out more about the premier senior living facility in Cleveland, contact us today!
“