Breast Cancer Awareness for Seniors in Burlington: What to Know

Burlington, set on the Mississippi River about 100 miles southeast of Cedar Rapids, is home to thousands of women over 65 who worked hard to reach retirement and deserve to enjoy it in good health. Breast cancer awareness becomes increasingly important as you age, yet many women skip screenings or dismiss warning signs as normal aging. Catching breast cancer early means the difference between straightforward treatment and a much harder road ahead.

October brings Breast Cancer Awareness Month into focus, but breast cancer does not wait for awareness campaigns. For Burlington women in their 60s, 70s, and beyond, understanding your specific risks and knowing when to seek medical attention can preserve both your health and your independence.

Understanding Your Risk as You Age

According to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the highest 10-year risk occurs in your seventies (about 4.2%, or one in 24). More than half of breast cancer deaths happen in women aged 70 and older, which makes vigilance especially important in later years.

Even if you have never had breast problems before, changes in breast tissue and hormone levels over time can still create new risks. That is why it is critical to treat new symptoms as signals worth checking, rather than assuming they are simply part of getting older.

Breast Cancer Awareness Beyond the Lump

A breast lump is common, but it is not the only sign. Large studies show that about one in six women with breast cancer are diagnosed after noticing symptoms other than a lump. According to the journal Cancer Epidemiology, women with non-lump symptoms are also more likely to delay care for 90 days or longer compared with women who detect a lump and act quickly.

Watch for these changes and call your doctor if any appear:

• Dimpling, puckering, or unusual redness in breast skin

• Nipple changes, including inversion, flaking, or any discharge, especially if bloody

• Swelling in your breast or underarm that lasts more than a few days

• Breast pain that persists or worsens instead of resolving

Free and Low-Cost Screening Options in Burlington

The CDC notes that most health plans cover screening mammograms for women over 40, often at no out-of-pocket cost, based on national guidelines. Coverage is usually available once every year, but it is important to confirm the details with your insurance provider.

Iowa's Care for Yourself program offers free or low-cost screenings for eligible women ages 21 to 64. Great River Women's Health in West Burlington and Burlington Area Family Practice both offer mammogram referrals and women's health education resources.

Know Your Normal: Breast Self-Awareness

While not a typical fun summer activity, experts now recommend breast self-awareness, which can help with early detection for seniors. That means knowing what is normal for your body and reporting any new or unusual changes to your doctor right away.

Taking just a few minutes each month to pay attention helps you catch small changes early. Many seniors find it helpful to note observations on a calendar or share updates with a trusted family member, especially if memory care wellness challenges make tracking health patterns harder.

Use this checklist to guide your awareness:

• Stand in front of a mirror and look for visible changes in size, shape, or skin texture

• Raise your arms and check again for dimpling or other changes

• Use the pads of your fingers to feel each breast in a circular pattern

• Check your armpits for lumps or swelling

Call your doctor promptly if you find a new lump anywhere in your breast or armpit. Contact them right away if you notice nipple discharge that appears without squeezing or skin changes that last more than a few days.

The Screening Question After 75

You might wonder if mammograms still matter once you hit 75 or 80. The answer depends entirely on your overall health and how many active years you likely have ahead.

Your doctor should discuss screening frequency with you honestly. Aging and cancer risk increase together, but so does your risk of finding cancers that would never have caused problems in your remaining lifetime. Ask direct questions about whether screening makes sense for you specifically. Senior health screenings work best when tailored to your individual health status and life expectancy.

FAQ

At What Age Should I Stop Getting Mammograms?

There is no universal cutoff age. The decision depends on your overall health, your life expectancy, and whether you would want treatment if cancer turned up. Many healthy women in their 70s and 80s continue benefiting from screening.

How Often Do I Need Mammograms After 65?

Women 65 to 74 with average risk typically need mammograms every one to two years. After 75, frequency becomes individualized based on your health status. Discuss your specific situation with your primary care doctor.

Are Mammograms Covered by Insurance?

Most insurance plans cover one screening mammogram every 12 months for women over 40 with no copay or deductible. Diagnostic mammograms to investigate suspicious findings are typically also covered, though you may have some cost sharing depending on your specific plan.

What Happens If My Mammogram Finds Something?

An abnormal result does not automatically mean cancer. Most suspicious findings turn out benign after additional testing. You may need follow-up imaging such as a diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound, or possibly an MRI. If results remain concerning, a biopsy provides the definitive answer.

Can Breast Cancer Be Treated Successfully in Older Women?

Yes. Most older women diagnosed with breast cancer respond well to treatment and live many more years. The hormone positive cancers most common in older women grow slowly and respond to less aggressive treatment. Healthy seniors often tolerate treatment as well as younger women.

Taking Action on Your Health

Breast cancer awareness saves lives when women take action instead of waiting. Burlington offers quality screening options through local providers and state programs that remove cost as a barrier to care.

At Addington Place Burlington, our community coordinates with your doctors to help you stay on schedule for preventive care like mammograms. We remind you of upcoming visits and assist with scheduling so you can focus on enjoying daily life while staying proactive about your health.

Do not put off that mammogram you have been meaning to schedule. Contact Addington Place Burlington today to learn how our coordinated approach keeps residents healthier by ensuring medical appointments and screenings happen on schedule. Your health deserves this level of attention.