THINK PINK THIS OCTOBER NO MATTER WHAT YOUR AGE

Over 65? October is still time to think pink! As you get older, your body continues to change and so do the guidelines for taking care of it. Breast cancer screening guidelines and frequency of mammograms needed are a good example.

It is a sad statistic: more than 40% of breast cancers are diagnosed in women over 65. Guidelines for mammograms from the American Cancer Society say that age alone should not be the reason to stop mammograms for seniors, provided the woman has no serious, chronic health problems.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force states that women should have mammography every two years from age 50 through 74, and that for women 75 and older, the current evidence is insufficient to assess the benefits or harms from overdiagnosis and possible unnecessary procedures, biopsies and treatments.

But remember - breast cancer risk does increase with age, and mammography doesn’t appear to be any less effective in women 70 years and older.

Since women over 60 years are still at a high risk of developing breast cancer, many major health organizations, including the American Cancer Society, recommend women ages 70 and older continue to get mammograms on a regular basis as long as they are in good health.

Women who have a serious health problem may not benefit enough from having breast cancer discovered early to justify continued screening. There is some evidence that most breast cancers detected in older postmenopausal women are relatively slow growing and more easily treated than those aggressive tumors found in younger women. However, women who are in good health, who could benefit from treatment if breast cancer was found, should continue to get mammograms!

For example, the median life expectancy for an 80-year-old woman is nine years, so if you're generally healthy, it can make sense to continue screening through your 70s and perhaps into your early 80s. If you aren’t sure whether you have risk factors that warrant the continued mammograms, talk with your doctor or health care provider.

Don’t let fees or fear be a factor preventing you from having a mammogram, many are free or low cost. Medicare Part B and most insurance companies cover the cost of mammograms. The Komen Breast Care Helpline at 877- GO KOMEN, can help you find low-cost options in your area. New technology means medical mammography equipment is faster, results are timely, and the process pain free.

Remember the best medicine is prevention – to beat breast cancer, the best defense is early detection! For more information on screening for breast cancer in your senior years, reach out to your doctor. Visiting Angels, an award-winning provider of homecare and companionship services, has caregivers that can provide transportation to medical exams, and help to create that healthy lifestyle at home that reduces your risk for cancer.

TILL NEXT TIME!

IRV SELDIN, JD

OWNER AND PRESIDENT, VISITING ANGELS OF THE PALM BEACHES

Article not intended as medical advice