At Sagora Senior Living, we are constantly creating new experiences to engage our residents and find exciting ways to showcase our amazing communities and how we truly embrace each moment we create together.
Every October, communities across the country come together to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is a time to honor survivors, remember those we have lost, support individuals currently facing breast cancer and encourage everyone to take an active role in protecting their health.
While breast cancer awareness is important at every age, it can be especially meaningful for older adults. Age is one of the primary risk factors for breast cancer, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that most breast cancers are diagnosed in women age 50 and older. The American Cancer Society reports that the median age at breast cancer diagnosis is 63.
Why Breast Cancer Awareness Matters
Breast cancer remains one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among women in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 321,910 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the U.S. in 2026, and about 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime.
These statistics demonstrate why continuing conversations about breast health is so important, including during the senior years. Awareness can encourage individuals to recognize changes in their bodies, have conversations with their healthcare providers and keep recommended screenings from being overlooked.
Staying Proactive About Breast Health
There is no single way to completely prevent breast cancer, but there are several steps older adults can take to better understand their risk and support their overall health.
Keep up with recommended screenings. Mammograms can help identify breast cancer before symptoms appear and when it may be easier to treat. The American Cancer Society recommends that women age 55 and older at average risk transition to mammograms every two years or continue annual screening. Screening may continue as long as a woman is in good health and has a life expectancy of 10 years or more. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends mammograms every two years through age 74 and advises women age 75 and older to discuss screening with their healthcare provider based on their individual health history and needs.
Know what is normal for you. Pay attention to changes such as a new lump, changes in the size or shape of a breast, nipple changes, unusual discharge, swelling or changes in the skin. Any new or concerning change should be discussed with a healthcare professional rather than waiting for the next scheduled screening.
Understand your personal and family history. A family history of breast or ovarian cancer may affect an individual’s risk. Sharing this information with a physician can help determine whether additional monitoring or testing should be considered.
Support a healthy lifestyle. Staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol and avoiding tobacco can support overall wellness and may help reduce the risk of several cancers and other chronic health conditions. The CDC specifically identifies physical activity as one factor that can help lower breast cancer risk.
Most importantly, seniors should feel comfortable discussing breast health with their physicians. Screening decisions can become more individualized as we age, making open conversations about overall health, medical history and personal risk especially valuable.
Sagora Senior Living Stands Together
At Sagora Senior Living, Resident First is more than a philosophy—it is a commitment to supporting the health, happiness and well-being of the individuals we are honored to serve.
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we stand alongside our residents, team members, families and communities whose lives have been touched by breast cancer. We celebrate the strength of survivors, offer our support to those currently undergoing treatment and remember those whose courageous journeys continue to inspire us.
This October, we encourage everyone to wear pink, start a conversation, learn about your personal risk and speak with your healthcare provider about the screening schedule that is right for you.
Together, through awareness, education, compassion and support, we can make a difference.
We are proud to play a vital role in helping seniors live longer and the best life possible. With 90 communities in 10 different states, Sagora Senior Living offers seniors the chance to live in active, social communities where they can thrive on a daily basis.
To learn more about the Sagora experience, tour your local community today!