Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Seniors Told Of Cancer

Southwest Arkansas Development Council Senior Citizen Center has begun a monthly health focus sponsored by SWADC Home Health staff. October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month in cooperation with the American Cancer Society. Educational materials were distributed and door prizes were awarded.

Senior citizens were reminded that the greater your age, the greater your need for a mammogram. Over 75% of the breast cancers diagnosed each year occur in women over age 50. A woman of 70 is almost twice as likely to develop breast cancer in the next year as a woman aged 50.

While it is true a woman's risk is greater if her mother, grandmother or sister has had breast cnacer, more than 80 percent of breast cancers are diagnosed in women who have no history of it in their family. A woman's greatest control rests in early detection. A mammogram can detect lumps impossible to feel. Every woman aged 40 and above should begin their mammograms and should have them yearly after age 50.

Early detection can increase a woman's five-year survival rate from 18 percent if it has spread throughout the body to 94 percent if it has not spread. Monthly self breast exams are also encouraged for women of all ages.

SWADC Home Health staff sponsored a party on October 26 at the Senior Citizens Center. Door prizes were awarded to Glenda Westmoreland and Beatrice Chappell.

Breast cancer is not strictly a woman's disease. Any man with dimpling, lumps, pain or nipple drainage should report it to their doctor immediately.