Breast Cancer in Elderly Patients

The year 2020 has seen more that 270,000 cases of breast cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. As one of the leading cancers in women in the United States, breast cancer accounts for nearly 15 percent of all new cancer diagnoses, most commonly in women between the ages of 55 and 64. 

Most people know that early detection leads to higher survival rates, but as women age, it can be harder to detect breast cancer through a traditional mammographic screening, according to the medical article “Specific Aspects of Breast Cancer Therapy of Elderly Women”. Therefore, as women get older, it is important for them to understand their bodies and learn the early signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

Types of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer refers to any cancer that develops in or around the breast. In general, breast cancer is usually invasive, meaning it can spread to healthy tissue, or non-invasive, meaning the cancer is localized. The most common form of breast cancer according to BreastCancer.org is invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), which makes up for nearly 80% of breast cancer diagnoses. IDC starts in the milk ducts and spreads to surrounding breast tissue and sometimes to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body. Though this type of breast cancer can occur at any age, it is most commonly diagnosed in women aged 55 and older.

Risk Factors

Like many cancers, breast cancer happens when cells in the breast mutate, however it is unclear what causes the mutation. While there is no definite cause for breast cancer, there are factors that put women at a higher risk of developing it.

• Age- According to the American Cancer Society, more than half of all breast cancer diagnoses are in women aged 60 and older whereas less than 12 percent of breast cancer is found in women aged 45 and younger.
• Family History and Genetics- Between 5 and 10 percent of breast cancer is inherited according to the American Cancer Society. Those with the mutated gene BRCA1 or BRCA2, have a 70% chance of contracting breast cancer before the age of 80. Women with a family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer are also at a higher risk.
• Gender- Most breast cancers (nearly 99 percent of all cases) are diagnosed in women. However, men can develop breast cancer, especially those who carry the BRCA2 mutation.
• Reductive History- Women who started their menstrual cycle before the age of 12, started menopause after 55 or who have never been pregnant are all at a higher risk of developing breast cancer.

Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Since there is no known cause of breast cancer, it is important to understand the signs and symptoms of the disease. If caught early, chance of survival greatly improves.

• A lump in the breast. The most common sign of breast cancer is a lump or growth in the breast tissue or around the armpit. If you find a lump, talk to you doctor right away to evaluate if it could be cancer. It is important to note that while lumps are common signs of breast cancer, nearly 80% of lumps in the breast are benign tumors, meaning they are not cancerous.
• Changes to the nipple. If the cancer forms behind the nipple, you may notice changes in or around the nipple such as discharge, color change or nipple inversion.
• Soreness and swelling. Soreness and swelling of the breast may occur if cancer develops and could even change the size or shape of the breast. Some women also experience soreness and swelling under the arms, often a sign that cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.
• Changes to skin around the breast. In addition to changes to the nipple, some women also experience changes to the skin of the breast such as redness and flaking. Discoloration can occur in a centralized spot on the breast where the cancer is or can spread across the entire breast.

How Visiting Angels Can Help

If you have an aging loved one who has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and needs assistance in their day-to-day life, Visiting Angels Wayzata can help. Our team of trained caregivers can help with everything from medication reminders, meal prep, light housekeeping and transportation to and from doctor’s appointments.

The Visiting Angels Wayzata office serves Minneapolis and the west and southwest communities. If you would like to learn more about how Visiting Angels can assist your family, give us a call at 952-935-0789.