Senior Health: Is Oral Cancer Screening Important for Seniors?

Vancouver Senior Home Care  |  May 11, 2019

What Every Senior in Vancouver, BC, Needs to Know About Oral Health and Oral Cancer

Oral Cancer Screening | Faced with several age-related hurdles, few seniors consider going for an oral cancer screening. However, seniors should always keep oral cancer in mind. This year alone, as many as 5,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer, many of them over the age of 65. This is because advanced age is a risk factor for oral cancer.

The good news, however, is that, if detected early, oral cancer can be treated very effectively. Statistics show that 65% of individuals diagnosed with oral cancer will live longer than five years. At the same time, those whose oral cancer was detected early have an  85% chance.

Find a convenient time for the senior in your life to go and get screened for oral cancer. Before you do, keep reading and find out more oral cancer and what to do.

What is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is an umbrella term for several conditions. For the most part, oral cancer refers to cancers that develop in the oral cavity. This includes:

• floor and roof of the mouth
• teeth
• gums
• lips
• cheeks
• front of the tongue
• middle of the throat
• back of the mouth

What are the Early Signs of Oral Cancer?

Some early signs should not be overlooked. If you or your senior parent experience soreness, irritation, difficulty in moving your mouth or jaw, lumps, patches, tenderness, or numbness in any of the areas we mentioned above, contact your physician as soon as possible to get screened for oral cancer.

What are Oral Cancer Screenings Like?

They are usually very short and do not take more than ten minutes of your time. Your doctor or dentist will do a physical exam. If they believe you or your senior parent need more extensive screening, they will use a special dye that highlights suspect areas of the mouth or throat. If they suspect cancer, they will take a biopsy and send it for testing.

Are There Effective Treatment Options for Oral Cancer?

Absolutely! They include surgery, radiation treatment, chemotherapy, and medication.

The Best Senior Home Care Provider in Vancouver, BC, is Comfort Keepers®

Many families prefer Comfort Keepers® when arranging senior home care services for a loved one in or around Vancouver, British Columbia. 

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones, we can help with 24-hour care. Comfort Keepers Vancouver also provides home care services like respite care, overnight care, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care, personal care, and more! 

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver Can Help with Companion Care and Interactive Caregiving™

Personal and empathetic care starts in the heart and allows us to meet our clients’ needs. Comfort Keeper’s philosophy is to elevate the human spirit, and our caregivers ensure your loved one experiences a better quality of life.

Trained caregivers help provide our senior clients with personal home care to help maintain the highest possible quality of life, keeping them happy and healthy at home. Our Interactive Caregiving™ delivers a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Bring The Best Home Care Assistance for Seniors Right Where You Live with Comfort Keepers®

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver is proud to provide elder care in homes throughout Vancouver, keeping seniors safe in their homes. We provide home care for the seniors of Vancouver and the surrounding areas of Burnaby, Langley, Maple Ridge, and Richmond. Please call (604) 689-8609. 

Personal Care and Senior Homecare in Vancouver, BC

Learn more about our unique service, which offers personal care, companionship care, palliative care, and end-of-life care by contacting the Comfort Keepers® Vancouver office.

Accredited and Quality Respite Care Available 24/7 for British Columbia Families

Accreditation Canada has awarded Comfort Keepers® Vancouver with Exemplary Standing. This designation is only achieved after an organization’s policies, procedures, and processes undergo a thorough evaluation by industry experts to ensure they meet or exceed the stringent quality standards set by Accreditation Canada for Home Care companies.

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