The “forgotten” CANCER targeting older women
Ladies, when it comes to cancer screenings and prevention unique to US gals… what comes to mind?
You’re probably thinking breast cancer – with studies from the National Cancer Institute finding that nearly 13% of women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer at some point in her life.
And women over the age of 70 have a 1 in 24 chance of developing breast cancer.
But, if you’re a woman over the age of 65, a new study has found that there’s another, “forgotten” cancer on the rise.
Here are all the details, including the simple steps you can take to stay safe – even as you age.
A study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention has found that CERVICAL CANCER is rising in women over 65.
It found that about 71% of women 65 years and older had a diagnosis of late-stage cervical cancer (compared to 48% of younger women).
Cases of cervical cancer are more common in younger women, which is why most current guidelines don’t recommend the need for cervical screening after you reach 65.
In fact, the study noted that current guidelines recommend DISCONTINUING tests for senior women who have had a history of normal Pap and/or Human Papillomavirus (HPV) tests.
But cervical cancer can still develop – even after normal tests. And once that screening stops, you may never know if you have a heightened risk of cervical cancer.
And the older you get, the odds of beating cervical cancer plummet. In fact, the study found:
- Senior women had a lower five-year survival rate when diagnosed with late-stage cervical cancer than people under 65
- Women over 80 fared the worst with the lowest survival chances of all age groups
In other words, those whole guidelines about not having to screen for cervical cancer once you hit the magic number 65 should seriously be considered for revision.
The bottom line?
Even if you’ve had a history of normal tests and screenings, it’s important to work with your doctor and continue any cervical screenings as-needed – even if the mainstream claims you’re at the age where you “don’t need them.”
To not ignoring cervical cancer,
Sarah Reagan
Sources:
Solis-Moreiera, Jocelyn. “Cervical cancer cases among women over 65 on the rise.” https://studyfinds.org/cervical-cancer-senior-women/
Johns Hopkins Medicine. “Treating Breast Cancer in People Age 70 and Up.” https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/treating-breast-cancer-in-people-age-70-and-up
National Cancer Institute. “Breast Cancer Risk in American Women.” https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/risk-fact-sheet
