October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This month is set aside to open up people’s awareness of breast cancer, understand the symptoms, and strive toward reducing the risk of breast cancer as we work toward eliminating this disease from the planet. All cancer treatments are long-term treatments that can take a lot out of a person, emotionally, physically, and mentally. With that in mind, your loved one may appreciate the option of receiving in-home rehabilitation services instead of having to visit a clinic for her recovery.
If you are caring for an elderly loved one, especially if that person was born female, it’s important to help your loved one understand the symptoms of breast cancer, as well as how to reduce their risk of developing the disease and if they do develop breast cancer, catching it early enough so that they can receive the best treatment possible for a full recovery. After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer that affects women.
The good news is that with the awareness created through initiatives such as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, more and more women are surviving breast cancer and continuing to live for many years after their initial diagnosis.
Breast Cancer Symptoms
The symptoms of breast cancer can vary from person to person and do not always include what is considered the most common symptom – a lump in the breast.
Other symptoms can include:
A thickened area of skin on the breast that feels different than the other skin nearby.
- Changes in the coloring of the breast. For Caucasians, the breast may appear pink or red. For those with darker skin tones, the breast color may become darker and be a dark red or purple.
- A nipple that becomes flattened or has turned inward.
- Change to the overall shape or size of the breast.
- Skin on the breast that becomes dimpled or has the texture of an orange peel.
- Breast skin that begins to flake, peel, or crust over.
Breast Cancer Risk Factors
A family history of breast cancer. The earlier family members have been diagnosed, and the number of family members who have had breast cancer builds upon that risk factor.
- Having started her period before she was 12.
- Having experienced menopause at a later age. Those who were older than 55 before they began menopause are at an increased risk for breast cancer.
- Having never been pregnant or having their first child after the age of 30.
- A history of drinking a lot of alcohol.
- Obesity.
Women who have been tested and discovered they have inherited DNA changes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, have a very high risk of developing breast cancer and should talk with their doctors about what steps they want to take to prevent the disease.
After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
If your loved one does get diagnosed with breast cancer, her doctor will work with her and you to help her recover and beat the disease.
In-home rehabilitation takes away the hassle of finding transportation, as well as reduces the risk of your loved one picking up a virus or illness from someone else at those often-busy clinics. In-home rehabilitation can also work with your loved one to customize her care based on her living situation and personal preferences. An in-home rehabilitation provider will be able to better understand what your loved one needs by physically being in her home with her.
Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352470
If you or an aging loved one is considering In-Home Rehabilitation Services in Hershey, PA, please contact the caring staff at Extended Family Care Lancaster today. Call (717) 391-6363
Extended Family Care Lancaster is a Trusted Home Care Agency in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, including Columbia, Elizabethtown, Ephrata, Hershey, Lebanon, Lititz, Manheim, New Holland, and Paradise.
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