Senator John McCain’s recent diagnosis of brain cancer has many people thinking about this frightening disease. The senator’s brain tumor was discovered during a surgery to remove a blood clot near his eye, which implies that he may not have had symptoms prior to the surgery. The risks for brain cancer rise between the ages of 65 and 79, so are there signs you should be on the lookout for in your senior parent?
Understanding Brain Tumors
Brain tumors are abnormal masses or cells that develop in or near the brain. There are many kinds of brain tumors, and some are cancerous, but some are not. Primary brain tumors start in the brain while secondary (or metastatic) brain tumors are those that are caused by cancer in another part of the body spreading to the brain. The location and type of tumor will affect how quickly it grows and how it impacts the body.
Risk Factors
In addition to older age being a risk factor for brain tumors, there are other things that give your parent a greater chance of developing a brain tumor. If your parent has been exposed to certain kinds of radiation, such as radiation used to treat cancer or radiation from atomic bombs, they are at a higher risk. Experts at the Mayo Clinic say that the radiation from microwave ovens and cellular phones are not linked with brain cancer. Having a family history that includes brain tumors also puts your parent at greater risk.
Signs to Watch For
In some cases, a brain tumor may not cause any symptoms until it has gotten quite large. Then, they may cause a person’s health to decline quickly. Many times, the first sign of a brain tumor is headaches that don’t respond to regular methods for headache relief. It’s important to note that most headaches are not a sign of brain cancer. Other signs to watch for include:
- Seizures
- Nausea and vomiting that cannot be explained
- Changes in behavior or personality
- Problems with vision, like blurry vision or seeing double
- Balance problems
- Trouble with speech
- Gradually losing function or feeling in a limb
- Confusion
- Difficulty with hearing
- Trouble concentrating
In-Home Elderly Care Can Help
If your parent has been diagnosed with brain cancer, or any other type of cancer, hiring an elderly care provider through an agency can help ensure your parent gets the care they need. Elderly care providers can remind your parent to take prescribed medications, drive them to medical appointments, and perform tasks around the house that they may not be up to. Elderly care providers can also provide distraction for your parent so that they do not spend time dwelling on their condition.
For more information about how the caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, call 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable elderly care in Coronado, CA, and the surrounding communities.
Sources
http://www.webmd.com/cancer/brain-cancer/brain-tumors-in-adults#1
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-tumor/home/ovc-20117132
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-tumor/symptoms-causes/dxc-20117134
http://www.abta.org/brain-tumor-information/symptoms/
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/19/us/politics/john-mccain-brain-cancer.html
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