At InnovAge LIFE, regular screening for diseases like breast cancer is a high priority. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the U.S., except for skin cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. One in 8 women will be diagnosed with it in her lifetime, and it accounts for about 1 in 3 new cancers in women each year.
Christine Maloney, a nurse practitioner at InnovAge and a breast cancer survivor herself, recently talked with Metro Philadelphia about the importance of proactive healthcare.
InnovAge LIFE offers comprehensive care for seniors with the goal of keeping them independent and at home for as long as possible by identifying problems early and coordinating their care across specialists.
Through the nationwide Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) — known as LIFE in Pennsylvania — InnovAge offers low-cost senior healthcare and social services, including emergency care, medication management, nutrition, social work, physical, occupational and speech therapy, specialty care and end-of-life care.
At InnovAge LIFE, seniors are assigned an interdisciplinary team that will develop a personalized care plan to meet their medical and social needs, including in-home assistance and door-to-door transportation to the center and to off-site medical appointments.
Maloney said every InnovAge senior receives a full health assessment every 6 months according to PACE regulations. A breast mammogram is typically done annually.
“The new protocol recommends a mammogram every two years now, but our patients remember that we offer them every year and we encourage that,” she explained.
“If a woman is 75 or older and has a negative history of breast cancer, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says she doesn’t need to continue mammograms, but I tell them if you experience any symptoms, let me know. I do breast assessment annually.”
“InnovAge really tries to be preventive. It is always more beneficial to find it early.”
Symptoms of breast cancer include a new lump or mass, breast swelling, skin dimpling, red, dry and flaking nipples or breast skin, nipple discharge and swollen lymph nodes under the arm or near the collarbone.
If a patient is diagnosed with breast cancer, she explained, InnovAge coordinates their appointments with specialists and provides transportation. Maloney said she also receives their test results and will give them a call or talk to them at the center.
InnovAge also looks out for the overall health, physical and mental, of their patients ensuring proper quality of life.
“I just had a patient with a mastectomy prosthesis in bad shape and just sent her for a new one,” she explained.
“We are conduit between the patient and the specialist. We help make sure they are getting proper nutrition, and that any pain is addressed. We also work with the families to schedule appointments and encourage them to go with the patient for support.”
InnovAge offers 24/7 medical coverage assistance, and their patients and their families utilize it frequently, she said, whether they are uncertain about medication dosing or have questions about a diagnosis or treatment.
“A breast cancer diagnosis can be a scary time. They see their mortality in a different light than when they were younger. InnovAge does a good job supporting the whole family, which helps the patient’s outlook and overall health.”
InnovAge LIFE has centers at Pennypack and Henry Avenue. If you are interested in seeing if you qualify, simply talk to your primary care provider or call InnovAge at 844-704-9613. For more information, visit innovage.com.
Sponsored content produced in partnership with InnovAge
