Comfort Keepers In Home Care for the Elderly in San Antonio, TX: A Quick Look at Breast Cancer
In home care for the elderly in San Antonio, TX - Comfort Keepers discusses the impact of breast cancer in senior citizens
Almost everyone is familiar with breast cancer due to its high prevalence in modern times. The number of breast cancer survivors in the US now stands at over 3 million, thanks to the commendable leaps made in breast cancer awareness and the insistence on early and regular screening. Many organizations and foundations have spear-headed breast cancer awareness and screening campaigns, and there has also been the adoption of newer and more effective treatment options. Breast cancer-related deaths have steadily declined since 1989, as data from the American Cancer Association confirms this. Increased awareness and advancement in the treatment modalities have been associated with this decline.
Despite the increased number of survivors and better care, breast cancer still comes second in the causation of cancer-related deaths in women. For this reason, Comfort Keepers in home care for the elderly appreciates that much still needs to be done in reinforcing the need for regular screening for early detection and treatment of breast cancer. Advanced age which is a potent risk factor for the development of breast cancer, emphasizes the need for timely screening for those in the vulnerable age group/s. As a matter of fact, any malignant lesion in women above 65 years should be treated with as much caution as possible.
About Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is an abnormal proliferation of breast tissue cells. This abnormal growth could result due to a mutation or modifications in the genes responsible for the regulation of cell cycle growth. The tumors which result could either be benign or malignant; non-threatening and threatening ones, the latter being associated with breast cancer. Comfort Keepers in home care for the elderly wishes to inform you of the potential risk factors that could lead to the development of breast cancer are:
- A positive family history of breast cancer, especially among the first-degree relatives
- An advanced age
- History of radiotherapy to the chest and breast tissue
- Having dense breast tissue
- Regular alcohol consumption
- The use of estrogen or progesterone containing drugs
There are various types of breast cancer and ductal carcinoma is the most common type. This variety involves the duct system draining to the nipple. The other common type is lobular carcinoma, which involves breast lobule. Less common types include adenoid cystic carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, and low-grade adenosquamous carcinoma. The hallmark of all these types is the advancement of cancer from a bad to worse state, particularly with lymph node involvement. Comfort Keepers in home care for the elderly acknowledges the emotional experience associated with knowing this.
The lymph nodes are basically clumps of cells located under the armpit for breast cancer lesions. They function as filters to the lymph draining from the breast and their involvement is associated with a bad prognosis; there will be a spread to other regions of the body.
Detection and Treatment of Breast Cancer
It is recommended that all women undertake a self-breast examination with an inspection for abnormal swellings or masses. This should be combined with breast examination done by the appropriate health care providers. Some of the symptoms that should be an issue of concern include breast and nipple pain, an unusual nipple discharge, a change in breast skin color or scaling or abnormal swelling of the breast tissue.
Screening of patients using mammograms is highly recommended especially for elderly women. Mammography involves the use of low-level X-rays as a means of radiation. Most are usually done for screening purposes in women who are not symptomatic while the diagnostic mammograms are used to reveal more information about the state of the breast tissue.
Screening of breast cancer using mammograms, the detection, and treatment of breast cancer lesions has raised concerns on the cost-benefit implication of this procedure. When in doubt, the advice is given to the clients on the available alternatives they can pursue, and the one that they will finally prefer is adopted.
Comfort Keepers in home care for the elderly thinks that it is prudent to consider the opinion of a physician who will shed more light on the treatment options based on age-related factors. Breast cancer can be managed using chemotherapy and radiotherapy, surgical resection, and the use of hormone therapy for the appropriate hormone-sensitive tumors. BreastCancer.org has some useful guidelines that recommend the treatment modalities for the different kinds of breast cancer and the possible side effects of the medications being used.
