One in three breast cancers are in women over the age of 70, warns Public Health England (PHE).
The organisation is launching a campaign telling elderly women "don't assume you're past it" and to get any changes in their breasts checked out.
Around 13,500 women aged 70 and over are diagnosed with breast cancer in England each year.
However, survival rates in this age group are lower than in younger women, PHE said.
It is thought a lack of awareness of symptoms other than a lump, such as changes in breast size or shape, could be behind the poor survival rate.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, the regional director at Public Health England, said: "Research shows that women over 70 have low awareness of breast cancer symptoms, other than a lump.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26014686