As children, sore throats came and went without too much thought. A nice round of cold popsicles to suck on, watching cartoons all day, and snuggling on the couch with the family pet, and most kids were back to normal within a day or two. And while it is true that adults can also get a random sore throat, either due to a passing virus, overuse, or even allergies, a persistent sore throat should be taken seriously in case it is a sign of something a lot more serious. Senior home care services can assist a loved one when dealing with medical issues.
Different Types of Throat Cancer
Most sore throats are not cancer-related, but if your loved one has any high-risk factors for throat cancer, then, as they age, a persistent sore throat needs to be examined to ensure that cancerous cells are not present.
Throat cancer can occur in two general areas – the voice box and the throat. The voice box can develop cancerous cells in the vocal cords, the top of the voice box, or the bottom. Throat cancers are located in several places, including the part of the throat behind the nose, the area behind the tonsils, and just above the windpipe.
Throat Cancer Risk Factors
While anyone can develop throat cancer, understanding your loved one’s risk factors can help you know when to take what seems like a simple sore throat more seriously. Each one of these risk factors increases the likelihood of cancer development. The more risk factors your loved one has, the greater their risk.
- Any type of tobacco use, including cigarettes, pipes, and chewing tobacco. While studies haven’t been officially formulated yet, the assumption is that vaping will also increase the risk of throat cancer.
- Extreme long-term alcohol use.
- Having been exposed to toxic fumes or substances at work, this can be especially true of some veterans, firefighters, and construction workers.
- Having GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease).
- Some viral infections, such as Epstein-Barr and human papillomavirus.
- Having a diet that is extremely low in fruits and vegetables.
Throat Cancer Symptoms
It’s not just a sore throat that throat cancer brings on. It usually has several other symptoms that won’t go away.
- Changes in your loved one’s voice – it might become consistently hoarse or not sound clear.
- A cough that doesn’t go away.
- Challenges with swallowing. Possibly feeling like something is caught in the throat.
- Pain radiating from the ears.
- A persistent sore throat.
- A lump or sore in the throat that doesn’t go away.
- Weight loss.
Getting Help through the Cancer Treatment Process
If your loved one is diagnosed with throat cancer, it can be overwhelming for them as well as those who love and care for them. As a caregiver, you might worry about how to take care of your loved one as needed while balancing all of life’s other demands. Your elderly loved one’s treatment will be lengthy and will most likely cause them to have less energy to take care of things around the home as they focus on their health and recovery.
A senior home care team can step in and support a family who is trying to manage a cancer diagnosis, no matter what type of cancer it is. Senior home care providers can help your loved one keep up their home and prepare meals that’ll provide the comfort and nourishment needed. A cancer diagnosis is always stressful, but senior home care providers can help your loved one through the toughest of days.