Senior Spotlight: Breast Cancer In Seniors

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! While that often means the headlines and social media are filled with pink ribbons and routine check reminders – we’d also like to remind you that it can be a month filled with hope!

Below we wanted to share 5 things you may not know about breast cancer; this data is for informational purposes only. Please, please, please talk with your personal health care provider about the screening, prevention and risk management factors that apply to you. 

#1: Most breast cancers are found in women age 50 and over; the median age of a breast cancer diagnosis is age 63. Nearly 20% of women diagnosed are over age 75. The Brest Cancer Research Foundation reports that women in their 70s have the highest risk of breast cancer diagnosis and women in their 80s have the highest risk of death.

#2: More and more men and women are surviving breast cancer! There are over 4 million breast cancer survivors in the US and even though the incidence of it is rising, so are the survivorship rates. Over 67% of breast cancer survivors are over age 65 (app. 2.8 million women) and half of these women are over age 75. 

#3: Most, but not all, breast cancers that occur in older patients is the estrogen receptor-positive subtype which tends to be slower growing and less aggressive which supports a more promising prognosis. 

#4: Cancer treatment options are vast and depend on cancer type. It’s imperative to note that cancer treatment should take into account functional age and not just numerical age. Geriatric assessments are now recommended for all older patients; the Cancer and Aging Research Group has a chemo-toxicity calculator and geriatric assessment for patients online. Medication and chemo dosage are a critical balance of potential toxicity, quality of life, consideration of undertreatment, side effects management and more. 

#5: The key word for breast cancer in the older population is MORE. MORE clinical trials need to include older patients (who are often excluded from such opportunities). MORE understanding of how toxicities of cancer therapies will affect older adults needs to be pursued. MORE geriatric oncologists are needed to manage individualized treatment guidelines for this important cancer patient population. 

Resources Used Courtesy of The CDC, Johns Hopkins & The Breast Cancer Research Foundation: Breast Cancer in the Elderly: Treating this Growing Patient Population; Breast Cancer Risk Factors; Treating Breast Cancer in People Age 70 and Up, Breast Cancer Survivorship: Unique Challenges for Young and Older Women

All my best,

Bobbi

Bobbi Decker
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