Some Skin Cancers Not as Critical in Seniors as Doctors and In-home Caregivers in San Marcos Thought

In-home caregivers in San Marcos frequently see the suffering and loss of quality of life that cancers of many different types cause. But all cancer does not behave identically, and that fact is magnified in patients that are very old or who already have other life-threatening diseases. In fact, a recent study has some doctors advising that it is better, in certain cases, to ignore some skin cancers instead of treating them.

Standard Skin Cancer Treatment

It is now very common for people who have developed skin cancer to have the spots removed through surgery. In the majority of cases, that is a smart move, since the surgery options are fairly minor and the benefits are great. But those benefits are less important when a patient is very old, and the risks are much higher. If a senior contracts infection through surgery and a hospital stay, it could be more serious than the risk that the original cancer posed. And if a patient is so aged that he is not likely to live long enough to experience the negative effects of the cancer, it is difficult to justify surgery to remove it.

Adjusting the Approach

In these recommendations, doctors generally exclude melanoma, the most aggressive and dangerous form of skin cancer. But for minor skin cancers, it is probably better to carefully tailor treatment to the individual patient’s current health, age, and life expectancy. Keeping your loved one out of the hospital and under the care of in-home caregivers in San Diego County may be preferable to the upheaval that surgery causes.

Keeping Healthy with In-home Caregivers in San Diego County

Professional caregivers can be an incredible asset to the good health of seniors who live at home. Even in the area of skin cancer, caregivers can help by preparing skin-healthy foods, closely managing outdoor activities, and encouraging the use of sunscreen and protective clothing.

Originally posted 2013-05-21 10:30:50.