February is Cancer Prevention Month and it’s a great time for seniors and their families to learn more about how cancer impacts seniors and what symptoms they should be watching out for. The risk of developing cancer increases significantly as people age. More than half of all new cancer diagnoses are found in people who are 65 or older. Even though there is no foolproof way to prevent cancer there are things that you can do to lower the risk of developing some types of cancers. Seniors should also be getting regular cancer screenings and watching out for symptoms like:
Lumps or Growths
In many cases moles, lumps, or growths that occur on the body are harmless. Often they are just fluid-filled sacs and skin tags that happen for various reasons. But if a growth suddenly starts growing quickly or changes shape or color it should be looked at by a doctor immediately. If your senior loved one has a home care provider helping with their personal care, be sure to ask periodically if they have noticed anything concerning or out of the ordinary. Regular exams and screenings can sometimes catch cancers early enough that they can be easily treated.
Weight Gain Or Loss
Anytime a senior’s weight changes dramatically when they have not made any big lifestyle changes it’s something that the doctor should check out. It could indicate that your senior loved one needs a medication change, or it could indicate a medical problem. If your senior loved one is overweight they might not think that weight loss is a bad thing, but if it’s sudden weight loss of more than a couple of pounds, it’s definitely something that the doctor should know about.
Trouble Breathing
Seniors can have trouble breathing as they get older because of medical conditions that aren’t cancer, however lung cancer is one of the most common cancers that seniors get. So if your senior loved one suddenly has trouble catching their breath or seems winded after normal activities schedule a doctor’s appointment and get them checked out. If your senior loved one has a history of smoking it’s absolutely essential to get them screened for lung cancer right away if they start to have trouble breathing.
Extreme Fatigue
Some fatigue is normal for seniors, especially if they are on medications that can cause drowsiness or fatigue as a side effect. But extreme fatigue where your senior loved one has trouble getting out of bed or sleeps for extended periods during the day as well as at night should be brought to the attention of a doctor. If your senior loved one isn’t normally physically active and isn’t exercising frequently or doing other things that could make them temporarily fatigued you should take your senior loved one to their doctor for a checkup as a precaution. Many cancers can be successfully treated if they are diagnosed early so early detection is very important.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/the-most-common-cancers-in-older-adults
https://academic.oup.com/jncimono/article/2004/32/150/1021871
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