Breast Cancer in Older Women

Abstract: This review addresses the management of breast cancer in women over 65 years of age. In 1995, approximately 50% of breast cancers will be diagnosed in this quickly growing segment of our population. Breast cancer screening and treatment modalities including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are underutilized in the geriatric population. Several recent studies demonstrate that healthy older women, like younger women, benefit from screening and tolerate surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy well. We will discuss current screening and treatment recommendations based on a review of pertinent literature.