As I was writing this blog, a notification chimed on my phone from a national news source. “Actress Suzanne Somers, Dead at 76.” I opened the story and learned she had passed after a 23-year battle with an aggressive form of breast cancer. She was initially diagnosed in her 50s, and she fought and won two episodes of breast cancer, but the third time proved too much for her to overcome.
This vivacious actress is best known by aging adults for her role as Crissy Snow on the 1970s hit comedy, “Three’s Company,” as well as other television sitcoms. However, she was also the author of numerous health and wellness books, and she was quite an astute businesswoman. Remember the “ThighMaster?” She stopped counting after selling 10 million of them!
Somers always remained very outspoken about women’s health, and she strongly denounced the presence of toxins and chemicals in foods, in part due to the cancers she endured.
In the news article, she was quoted as saying, “It’s really hard for me to eat food that’s not organic because I had cancer. So, everything that I use needs to be toxic-free, including my haircare, skincare, makeup, and household cleaning products. There’s not a single chemical in my house.”
Somers was a warrior against cancer, and she did all she could to educate and motivate others to fight this dreadful disease through lifestyle improvements.
The Susan G. Komen® organization lists dozens of risk factors for breast cancer including family history, alcohol consumption, body weight and obesity, bone and breast density, smoking, and many more, but the primary risk factor for breast cancer is age.
“The older a woman is, the more likely she is to get breast cancer. Risks for breast cancer are low in women under 40. About 4% of women are diagnosed with breast cancer younger than 40, even though this percentage is likely rising as more and more younger women are receiving the diagnosis. Rates increase after age 40 and are highest in women over age 70,” the Komen organization says.
The median age for women being diagnosed with breast cancer is 63, and the median age for men being diagnosed with breast cancer is 68. Although, statistics show that men are much less likely to develop breast cancer than women.
So why is breast cancer more prevalent in senior women and men? The Komen organization explains, “The older we are, the more likely abnormal changes will occur in our cells. When many of these changes occur, cancer can develop. “
That’s why routine breast cancer screening is necessary for women beginning at age 40.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) concurs, “Screening for breast cancer is recommended for women ages 40 to 74 years.”
Women and men alike should perform breast self-exams regularly to check for lumps or physical changes to the breasts. In addition, clinical exams during routine physicals are commonly performed by primary care providers to detect lumps or other changes.
More in-depth medical breast screenings include mammograms (an X-ray of the breast), and MRIs (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) exams which may be ordered for women at higher risk or with dense breast tissue.
IDPH says that women at high risk of breast cancer may choose preventative medications or surgery to remove healthy breasts to reduce their risk.
Somers always touted lifestyle factors that can lower a person’s risk for breast cancer including:
- Maintaining a healthy weight and diet
- Getting regular exercise
- Not drinking alcohol or limiting the number of drinks consumed
- Having a discussion with a physician about the benefits and risks of taking hormone replacement therapy
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with breast cancer, a variety of treatment options may be available, depending on the stage of the cancer and when it was detected. I strongly urge you to consider all of the treatment options that are available.
I realize that many seniors are not financially stable, or perhaps they are unable or unwilling to undergo treatment for breast cancer due to their age.
Thankfully, there is a program to help the financially stressed and underserved with FREE breast and cervical cancer screenings throughout our area. The Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program offers free mammograms, breast exams, pelvic exams, and Pap tests to eligible women in Illinois, without insurance, 35 to 64 years old.
The bottom line is that early detection and prevention are vital to achieving successful outcomes when it comes to breast cancer. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed or is undergoing treatment for breast cancer, my Home Helpers® team of highly trained compassionate caregivers can provide many levels of in-home care services and safe transportation assistance to and from necessary medical appointments.
I gladly offer a FREE Consultation to assess specific needs and create a personalized care plan customized for aging adults with breast cancer in order to make life easier for everyone’s peace of mind.
Home Helpers® Wheaton & Naperville is proudly Making Life Easier℠ for veterans, differently-abled, and senior men and women in Aurora, Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estate, Roselle, Itasca, Medinah, Naperville, Plainfield, Schaumburg, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton, and Winfield.
Sources:
Susan G. Komen®
Illinois Department of Public Health
Fox News Digital
