How Often Should You Get Breast Exams as You Age?

When it comes to breast cancer, many people have more questions than answers. Breast cancer is an invasive, frightening disease that can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender. Routine screenings can help safeguard against the devastating effects of breast cancer. Senior adults who live in the Evansville, Newburgh, Mount Vernon, or Boonville areas who want to stay involved this Breast Cancer Awareness Month can learn what they need to know about breast exams in this helpful guide.

Breast Cancer Screenings Should Be Part of Any Healthy Lifestyle

Breast cancer screenings, also referred to as breast exams, are done by licensed healthcare providers to help check for signs or symptoms of breast cancer well before the disease becomes evident. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while breast exams cannot prevent breast cancer, they can help find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat. At the exam, the senior adult's healthcare provider will ask questions about their health, conduct a physical examination of the breast, and perform a mammogram, which allows the doctor to look at the breast tissue to check for malformations or concerning tumors. The exam is also a good opportunity for seniors to ask their healthcare provider any questions that they might have about breast cancer or any other health concern.

How Often Should Senior Adults Get Screened for Breast Cancer?

People of all ages and genders can get breast cancer, not just women. Therefore, seniors must schedule breast exams regularly, even if they don't have any concerning symptoms. According to the United States Preventive Services Task Force's guidelines, women who are 50 to 74 years old and are at average risk for breast cancer should get a mammogram every two years.

Certain Factors Necessitate More Frequent Breast Cancer Screenings

While seniors who are between 60 and 74 years old or older should at minimum get a breast exam every two years, certain risk factors indicate a more frequent need to have routine breast cancer screenings. These include:

A history of breast cancer in the family.
A past diagnosis of breast cancer.

Seniors who are healthy and don't have concerns about breast cancer should still schedule their exam every two years. After all, many early signs of breast cancer can go unnoticed and undetected, according to Harvard Health, so regular checkups will help to rule out any undetectable symptoms of breast cancer.

Senior Helpers Offers Personalized Health Assistance for Seniors

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a good opportunity to remind all senior adults of just how important regular checkups and breast exams are to overall health. Senior Helpers wants all senior clients to live happy, fulfilling lives. As the premier provider of personalized senior living options to seniors in the Evansville, Newburgh, Mount Vernon, and Boonville areas, Senior Helpers Evansville is there to help provide compassionate, dedicated care. Contact us today to learn more about the services that we offer and how we can help improve your senior's quality of life.