Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Senior Health Tips

To summarize:

• Breast Cancer Awareness Month helps people understand the risks of cancer as well as the screening process.
• The period encourages people of all ages to get screened, understanding that everyone has different health goals and preferences.
• Kiley Ranch Senior Living aims to support any resident who needs assistance due to concerns about their physical health.

With miles of wilderness all in its backyard, Kiley Ranch Senior Living is a picturesque Assisted Living and Memory Care community. Located in Sparks, NV, it's the perfect spot to be if you need support due to a health scare, and with Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, it's a great time to ask all the questions you have.

With almost 320,000 cases of breast cancer in the United States alone in 2025, according to the National Cancer Institute, it is one of the most serious health crises in the country. So, below, we provide many of the senior breast health basics you may have concerns about, including:

• Senior breast health basics
• Mammogram importance for elderly residents
• How to ensure early detection of breast cancer
• Cancer prevention advice
• What cancer awareness for older adults means

So, read on for the guidance you may be seeking this October.

What Is the Official Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

October is a time when the world focuses on breast cancer awareness and education. Several campaigns are organized to normalize the simple act of asking questions or seeking information about the illness, so that people can access the healthcare and other support they need.

Why Is October a Pink Month?

The pink ribbon symbolizes shared awareness and various themes related to femininity and womanhood. Other breast cancer ribbons do exist, too, for different specific forms of breast cancer, but the pink one is the most well-known.

Senior Breast Health Risks and Prevention

Senior life and advancing age are directly associated with higher risks of breast cancer. However, other factors, such as one's personal history, are also significant.

Prevention can include many steps, some of which may be easier to engage in than others, including:

• Engaging in a personal wellness journey
• Weight reduction
• Increased movement
• Alcohol reduction
• Reviewing medication with doctors
• Checking for signs of breast cancer

Also, dig into your family history of cancer alongside any wellness activities you participate in. Then, be sure to document it for your clinician to review the next time you visit.

Screening and Detection Basics for Older Adults

Early detection of breast cancer is vital to help you discover whether you have cancer before you detect symptoms. Often, when symptoms appear, the tumor may have progressed to a later stage, making it harder to treat.

As such, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends that women receive a breast cancer screening every second year starting at 40, all the way to age 74.

Improving Breast Cancer Awareness in Older Adults

Increasing breast cancer awareness for older adults is often best done using simple reminders and repetition. Hammering the point home or using guilt runs the risk of causing people to turn away and may be detrimental to your efforts.

You can use basic printed handouts or educational chats with friends and family. In some cases, you may need to discuss the specifics of how to check for lumps or similar, so trying to break through the taboo surrounding body parts may also be important.

However, one of the main reasons to raise awareness is not only to inform people, but also to break down misconceptions. For example, one of those is that breast cancer is not only a woman's issue. As the National Cancer Institute reports, men account for 1% of breast cancer diagnoses and deaths.

As such, some of the most critical cancer prevention advice includes informing people of risks they may not otherwise be aware of so that they can take appropriate precautions.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month FAQ

Why Wear Pink in October?

Pink, specifically the pink ribbon, is the chosen color for Breast Cancer Awareness Month due to how it represents concepts surrounding traditional views of breast cancer, including:

• Femininity
• Compassion
• Hope

While men can also get breast cancer, the pink ribbon, and eventually wearing pink in general, have been a sign of the cause since 1991. A woman named Charlotte Haley, who had lost many people in her life to breast cancer, started passing them out as a part of fundraising, and it caught on.

What Should I Do During Breast Cancer Awareness Month as a Senior?

You should ensure that you and those around you in your life are aware of the dangers of breast cancer, as well as how to protect themselves. Look into screening options in your area, learn how to check yourself for signs of cancer, and discuss the need to go to a doctor with others in your life.

You may even want to organize a community event to encourage fundraising for breast cancer charities. Either join one or start one in your area, letting everyone know about it. What you do is up to you, but remember also to use it to teach people the meaning of the month.

Is a Mammogram Recommended in October?

Screening isn't necessarily recommended in October more than any other time. However, it's a great time to be reminded that seeking out a screening is vital.

If you are in your mid-forties, consider seeking a screening. Discuss this with your healthcare provider, then schedule it at a time that fits into your life.

How Seniors in Sparks Can Stay Safe in October

Use October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to confirm if screening is good for you and your loved ones. Then, with all the information you have, ensure that people get checked to avoid the possibility of discovering cancer when it may have progressed.

Here at Kiley Ranch Senior Living, we ensure that we support those in our community during their challenging health journeys. If that sounds like something you want to be a part of in your senior years, get in touch. Our staff can offer you a tour and demonstrate how our exclusive Vibrant Life program can deliver improved health and mental wellness, regardless of the circumstances of one's life.