Regular checkups for seniors are essential, but sometimes an uncomfortable topic can be colon cancer. A senior may think they do not need to be screened for colon cancer, but the truth is they do. The older you get, the higher the chance if you get colon cancer. Age plays a huge role in who does and does not get colon cancer. This is why it is crucial for elder care to encourage seniors to get regular checkups. It can be an uncomfortable topic, but it is something that affects seniors and should be monitored carefully.
Many seniors do not like the way doctors check for colon cancer, this is understandable. One of the most common ways to check for colon cancer is through a colonoscopy or some other test. No matter what, it needs to be done.
Although a senior can feel embarrassed, it is something crucial most seniors need to go through. This is part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and keeping up to date with personal health. Elder care can encourage doctors visits and leave out the small details to make it more comfortable for the senior.
The Tests Used To Look for Colon Cancer
Elder care should always be supportive of the situation by offering rides to the appointments.
There are typically two ways a doctor will look for colon cancer. One is a colonoscopy, and the other is a stool test. Both of advantages and disadvantages and may be slightly uneasy for a senior to go through.
A colonoscopy is the standard way seniors or other adults may get tested for colon cancer. This is the process of looking at the large bowel with a camera. The doctor looks inside and monitors every change or anything that appears unusual. Some doctors may even look for other things that make a senior uncomfortable, and this is understandable. Unfortunately, this is one of the more invasive tests and is not the most relaxing experience which is one of the main drawbacks of this test. The advantage of doing this test is that if there is no sign of cancer, a senior can wait up to ten years to do it again. It is one of the most accurate ways to tell if a senior has colon cancer.
The next test is a stool test. What is nice about this kind of test is that the seniors may not even need to leave their home for this test. They can take the sample at home in the comfort of their own bathroom and take it with them to their next appointment or send it over the same day to the doctors office. A stool based test is one of the most non-invasive and more comfortable ways to check for colon cancer. Unfortunately, because a doctor will not be able to see inside these tests will need to be done once a year instead of every ten.
Elder care should always be supportive of health goals and practicing healthy lifestyles. Colon cancer is not fun and the risk of getting it goes up with age. This is not something that should be embarrassing but another thing that needs to be supported.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Elder Care in Fitchburg, WI please contact the caring staff at Agape Senior Services Madison today. (608) 841-1004
Sources:
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
