Getting older means our bodies change. These changes can sometimes lead to health problems, like oral cancer. This type of cancer affects the lips, tongue, cheeks, and even the throat. It’s a big worry for seniors. In places where many elderly people live together, such as assisted living communities, knowing about this disease is very important!
Spotting signs early on helps keep everyone healthy and happy in their golden years. Knowing what to look out for, risk factors or symptoms, plus how to prevent it keeps senior citizens alert. It also lets them take action when needed so they can protect their mouth health.
Signs of Oral Cancer in Seniors
Spotting oral cancer signs early can really help with treatment. Some common symptoms in seniors are mouth sores that won’t go away, lumps or thick patches inside the cheek, trouble swallowing or chewing, and bleeding in the mouth for no reason.
Changes to voice tone might happen, too, like a sore throat that just doesn’t quit. Other things to watch out for include red or white spots on gums, tongue, or anywhere else inside your mouth, numbness, pain around lips, and other parts of the face.
These could be mistaken as less serious health issues, though! So, it’s key for older folks to get regular dental check-ups. Consult a healthcare professional if any of these symptoms persist for more than two weeks.
Risk factors for Oral Cancer
There are a bunch of things that can increase the risk of oral cancer in seniors. Age is one biggie. Most people who get it are over 55. Tobacco use, like smoking or chewing tobacco, tops the list as cause number one. Drinking lots of alcohol comes next on this not-so-great list.
Seniors with loads of sun exposure history might be at higher risk, too, especially when we’re talking about lip cancer! Other risks include having a weak immune system and eating a few fruits and veggies. Exposure to HPV also ups your chances! Knowing these risks helps older people make changes in their day-to-day lives so they lower their odds of getting oral cancer.
Prevention Tips for Seniors
To prevent oral cancer, seniors need to mix lifestyle changes with regular health checks. Kicking the smoking habit and cutting back on booze can make a big difference. Good mouth care is key, including daily brushing and flossing and dentist visits for check-ups. A lip balm that blocks sun rays helps guard against lip cancer.
Eating lots of fruits and veggies gives your body the nutrients it needs to fight off diseases like this one. And don’t forget about those all-important screenings! Especially if there are risk factors involved, getting checked out by a doctor or dentist regularly really matters.
Conclusion
Oral cancer is a big deal for seniors, but catching it early and taking steps to prevent it can really increase the odds of beating this disease. Knowing what signs to look out for, understanding the risks involved, and living healthy helps older people keep their risk low.
This means they get to enjoy life more! Assisted living communities, along with caregivers, are very important in all this. Teaching about oral cancer prevention plus giving support when needed makes sure that senior citizens have everything necessary so they stay healthy as time goes by.
Troy is a Freelance writer, editor, and author who lives, works, and plays in Boise, Idaho where he hikes, cycles, skis, and basically enjoys the outdoor lifestyle of the Northwest. Troy writes about business, sports, GIS, Education, and more. He is most passionate about writing suspense thrillers, and his work can be found at https://www.amazon.com/Troy-Lambert/e/B005LL1QEC/
