Alzheimer's twice as likely as breast cancer to develop in women over 60

Women over the age of 60 have a 1 in 6 chance of developing Alzheimer's disease - a risk twice that of developing breast cancer, reports the Alzheimer's Association.

Men, in contrast, have a 1 in 11 chance of getting Alzheimer's, according to the 2014 Facts and Figures report.

More than 5 million Americans suffer from the debilitating disease, and two-thirds of them are women.

Age is the greatest risk factor accounting for this genetic disparity, but researchers, says vice president of medical and scientific relations for the Alzheimer's Association, Mario Carrillo, are investigating genetic and hormonal differences as well.

Despite the facts, 24 percent of women and men mistakenly believe they are only at risk for Alzheimer's disease if it runs in the family.

"Anyone with a brain is at risk," Angela Geiger, chief strategy officer for the Alzheimer's Association, said according to a CNN report.

"You can do everything 'right' and still not prevent Alzheimer's."

There aren't sure-fire ways of evading the disease, but there are ways to slow down its progression. Staying mentally, socially and physically active and adopting a "brain-healthy diet" low in fat and cholesterol can help.

One woman, Carl Moore, 75, is an example of the gender gap among Alzheimer's patients. She, like so many others, was caught off guard by her diagnosis.

"I was hoping against hope there was nothing wrong with me, but there was," she recounted after the doctor showed her deteriorating brain MRI scan. Moore just thought forgetfulness was a part of aging.

Not only are women with Alzheimer's adversely affected, but so are their caregivers. In 2013, 15.5 million caregivers provided an estimated 17.7 billion hours of unpaid care valued at more than $230 billion, the website reports. And about 60 percent of these caregivers are women.

The Alzheimer's Association is launching a new initiative in the wake of this report, asking 1 million women to go to their website and share why their brain matters and how they will use it to stop Alzheimer's disease.