September 4, 2025

Breast Cancer Awareness for Seniors: Screening, Support and Survivorship

About Brookdale Senior Living

Brookdale Senior Living offers multiple care levels for seniors in more than 600 communities nationwide. Brookdale helps you find the right care plan for yourself or your loved one. With amenities such as transportation services, salons and private dining rooms and activities such as gardening, fitness classes and trivia nights Brookdale caters to a wide range of interests and needs.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and 2025 marks the 40th year of this annual observation, which provides global public education, promotes early detection and raises money for research.

Breast cancer is a topic close to our hearts at Brookdale Senior Living, and Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an ideal time to discuss the importance of screening for all ages, particularly senior adults.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and 2025 marks the 40th year of this annual observation, which provides global public education, promotes early detection and raises money for research.

Healthcare professionals can play a vital role in the fight against breast cancer. By promoting awareness, encouraging regular screenings and self-exams, and urging healthy lifestyles among their patients, they can help reduce the number of breast cancer deaths. Brookdale communities are privileged to serve as partners and allies in the fight.

The Most Effective Weapon Against Breast Cancer

Breast cancer screening is important for seniors, especially women. One’s risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer increases with age, with significant numbers of cases appearing in women 50 and older.

Early detection through screening enables early intervention, more effective treatment options and potentially higher rates of survival. Signs and symptoms of cancer generally do not show up until the cancer is in its advanced stages, when treatment is significantly more challenging.

While U.S. breast cancer deaths have declined as a result of improved early detection and treatment, the disease remains a serious threat. Mammograms remain the most effective weapon against breast cancer. Regular screening has been shown to reduce breast cancer mortality among older women.

Other factors to consider in regard to breast cancer screening — and any subsequent treatment —include the individual’s overall health, comorbidities, life expectancy, quality of life, and the individual’s particular circumstances and preferences.

The American Cancer Society has issued the following recommendations for women at an “average risk” for breast cancer, meaning those without a personal history of breast cancer, a strong family history of breast cancer, or a genetic mutation known to increase the risk of breast cancer:

Ages 40–44: Consider a yearly mammogram.
Ages 45–54: Get a yearly mammogram.
Ages 55 and older: Either switch to a mammogram every other year or continue with one each year as long as the woman is in good health and expected to live at least 10 more years.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American College of Physicians recommend screening every other year for women ages 50 to 74. Women in their 40s can also benefit from this schedule, the groups say, or make their decision based on their own health history, preferences, and views about potential benefits and harms.

Monthly self-exams are also recommended. The Mayo Clinic advises women to inspect their breasts both visually and manually, being alert to any changes in their appearance or the way they feel. Again, healthcare professionals can do their part by reminding women to do this.

Surviving Breast Cancer

In general, survival rates decrease with age, but they can vary widely based on a range of factors. These include the stage of cancer at diagnosis, specific characteristics of the cancer, and the patient’s overall health.

According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the overall five-year survival rate for breast cancer is about 90%. That’s for all ages. If the cancer remains localized in the breast, as is the case with 66% of breast cancer diagnoses, the five-year survival rate is more than 99%. If the cancer is regional, or has spread to nearby regions like the lymph nodes and chest wall, the five-year survival rate is 87%. If it has metastasized to distant organs, it is treatable but not curable (so far), and the five-year survival rate plummets to 32%.

The foundation cites these overall five-year survival rates by age of diagnosis:

Younger than 45: 88%
45–54: 91%
55–64: 91%
65–74: 92%
75 and older: 86%

More important than any statistic, however, is how the individual with a breast cancer diagnosis chooses to respond.

Education, Expertise and Emotional Support

After a diagnosis, the healthcare professional’s role is indispensable. Most importantly, the healthcare professional can consult with the patient and family to help them make an informed decision about the appropriate course of action and then pursue it. The HCP also can put them in touch with various resources designed to suit their specific needs.

Support groups provide multiple benefits, including solidarity and camaraderie with others who are going through similar circumstances; shared experiences and coping strategies; emotional support, encouragement, inspiration and hope; and practical advice on treatment side effects and other challenges.

National groups, organizations and programs helpful to senior adults with breast cancer include:

American Cancer Society^® This organization, founded in 1913, offers an array of support services. These include the Cancer Survivors Network online peer support community; the Road To Recovery^® program, which provides free rides to cancer treatment appointments; and a 24/7 cancer helpline at 1-800-227-2345.
CancerCare^® This organization’s Older Adult Program provides information, resources and support specifically for people 60 and older affected by cancer, as well as their loved ones. Offerings include counseling, resource navigation, education and support groups led by oncology social workers.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute^® Dana-Farber’s Older Adults with Breast Cancer (OABC) program offers virtual drop-in groups led by licensed clinical social workers, as well as monthly virtual education sessions.
Gilda’s Club^® / Cancer Support Community^® (CSC) This community provides free support groups, workshops, lectures and more, including resources catering to older adults’ needs.
METAvivor^® This organization for individuals with metastatic breast cancer offers a peer support group whose members share advice, information and encouragement. It also has a newsletter and can connect patients with local resources.
National Breast Cancer Foundation^® This foundation provides early detection, education and support services, including in-person and virtual support groups for breast cancer patients and survivors.
Susan G. Komen^® Susan G. Komen’s Breast Care Helpline, reachable at 1-877-465-6636 or helpline@komen.org, provides information about breast health, breast cancer, local and national resources, clinical trials, and more.

Of course, healthcare professionals should also encourage their senior patients to adopt (or continue) healthy lifestyle habits, such as good nutrition and regular exercise, and to be aware of other tips for preventing breast cancer.

Brookdale Wants to Be Your Ally in Combating Breast Cancer

Brookdale works with healthcare professionals to help its residents prevent breast cancer, and to help those with breast cancer diagnoses in their battles.

We encourage our residents to be proactive in their efforts to prevent cancer through healthy nutrition, physical activity, monthly breast self-examinations and regularly scheduled mammograms. (Most Medicare Advantage plans and accountable care organizations offer screenings as part of their wellness package.)

Within Brookdale, specific approaches to breast cancer awareness and available programs vary from community to community. Some offer physical or occupational therapy to help residents living with breast cancer manage the side effects of treatment. Also, some communities hold family nights in which physician groups speak about breast cancer awareness, screening and related topics.

In Brookdale HealthPlus^® communities, the RN Care Managers who lead the care coordination program place a strong emphasis on proactive healthcare such as breast cancer screenings.

We also connect residents with local support and resources through churches, senior centers and other community groups. It’s all part of our commitment to supporting our residents’ efforts to live their best possible life.

While breast cancer remains a leading health threat, we can work together to help reduce its frequency while improving outcomes for those diagnosed with the disease. That’s something to keep in mind not just in October, but throughout the year.

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Brookdale serves its residents and their families in a unique intersection of hospitality, wellness and healthcare. That includes being of service during challenging times such as a breast cancer diagnosis. Let us show you what Brookdale life might look like for your patient.

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