More Seniors Surviving Cancer, Study Reveals

Q. I have just survived my second bout with breast cancer and I am thrilled to have beaten this again. Although, at age 82, the treatments took a toll on me and I am very weak and unable to do what I once did. Yet I am encouraged that I am disease free.

You should take heart in your prognosis. Congratulations. You are in good company, according to a recent research study. The number of cancer survivors in the United States increased to 11.7 million in 2007 and seven million of those were senior citizens, according to a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). It appears about one of five seniors is a cancer survivor.

The largest numbers of survivors with female breast cancer were ages 65-84 years (1.2 million) and 40-64 years (just over 1 million), according to the research results. Approximately 1.1 million of the 11.7 million cancer survivors had lived with a diagnosis of cancer for at least 25 years; of those survivors, 75.4 percent were females.

Other highlights of the study:

• Among cancer survivors on January 1, 2007, an estimated 64.8 percent had lived with a diagnosis of cancer for at least five years; of those survivors, 57.2 percent were females.

• Among all cancer survivors, 54.3 percent were female, and 45.7 percent were male.

The authors note that the increase in number of cancer survivors is due to many factors, including a growing aging population, early detection, improved diagnostic methods, more effective treatment, and improved clinical follow-up after treatment.

It may not be unusual for cancer treatments to weaken individuals. Talk to your doctor about whether this is normal for you and ask what you could do about it. Then consider getting more help around your home until you are stronger. Home Instead Senior Care® hires CAREGivers who go into the homes of seniors to assist them with such tasks as companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, errands and shopping.

CAREGivers are often called to assist seniors while they are recovering from illness, injury or surgery; they are screened, trained, bonded and insured.

For more information about Home Instead Senior Care of Frederick County, go to www.homeinstead.com/627. For more about the study, visit http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/2011/survivorshipMMWR2011.