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Cancer Senior Care in Palmer AK Senior Health
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September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: Is Your Dad at Risk?

  • Baykham Keodouangdy - Program Administrator
  • Author Baykham Keodouangdy - Program Administrator
  • Published September 19, 2017
Senior Care in Palmer AK: September Is Prostate Cancer

Senior Care in Palmer AK: September Is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

One of the concerns that men face as they age is prostate cancer, and with good reason, since it is the most common kind of cancer in men.  The good news, though, is that most prostate cancers grow slowly, so they may never do any real harm.   However, in some cases, prostate cancer grows quickly and spreads to other areas of the body.

Since the chances of successful treatment are increased when cancer is caught early, it’s important to know if your dad may be at a higher risk so that he can be screened, if necessary.

 

What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that begins in the prostate, which is a gland found only in men.  The prostate is about the size of a walnut and is responsible for producing the seminal fluid that transports sperm.  When a man develops prostate cancer, the cells in the prostate grow uncontrollably. These abnormal cells eventually create a tumor, which can spread into other tissues.  The cells may also break away and move into other areas of the body.  This is called metastasizing.

 

What are the Risk Factors?

Risk factors are things that can increase your dad’s chance of getting prostate cancer.  It’s important to remember that having risk factors for the disease does not mean he will develop it.  However, if your dad has more than one risk factor for prostate cancer, his doctor may recommend that he be screened.

 

Risk Factors For Prostate Cancer Include…


-Age:  Your dad’s advanced age makes him more likely to get prostate cancer.

 

-Race:  If your dad is African-American, he is at a higher risk.  In African-American men, prostate cancer often occurs at younger ages and progresses more rapidly than it does in other races.

 

-Family History:  If your dad’s father, brother, or son has had prostate cancer, he is at a two times higher risk for the disease.  This may be because of certain gene changes that run in families.  For example, if the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene (the gene linked to breast cancer) is present in your dad’s family, he may be at a higher risk for prostate cancer.

 

-Obesity:  If your dad is obese, he is more likely to have an advanced form of prostate cancer that is more difficult to treat.

 

If your dad has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and will be undergoing treatment, hiring a senior care provider to come to his home and assist him may be very helpful to your family.  A senior care provider can be with your dad when you or another family member cannot be.  Senior care providers can help him with everything from personal care needs, like dressing, grooming, and toileting, to house cleaning and cooking.  Senior care providers can be hired to stay with your dad for just a few hours a day, the whole day, or for overnight stays.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering senior care in Palmer, AK, call us! The friendly staff at Shine Bright Care are here to answer your questions. Call toll-free: (888) 264-5998

 

Sources
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/basic_info/risk_factors.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/home/ovc-20317957
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/symptoms-causes/dxc-20317959
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/basic_info/get-screened.htm

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Baykham Keodouangdy - Program Administrator
Baykham Keodouangdy - Program Administrator
Baykham Keodouangdy - Program Administrator In reflecting on this journey, my home care career, I cannot help but think of my parents. I assisted alongside my sister, to care for them during their last years. Both mother and father had suffered a stroke, heart attacks, diabetes, dementia, hypertension and many more complications that I cannot even imagine going through. Life as a caregiver was not easy but it was something that you just had to do, especially for your parents. Both my parents needed full-time 24-7 care, meaning they could not do anything for themselves. Every day my sister would care for them, whether it was assisting them to medical appointments, cooking and cleaning, bathing and showering, or transferring from wheelchair to bed. It was their complete care for all activities of daily living. I think of my parents often. My father passed in 2012 and my mother recently passed in 2015. I would give anything to have them back. That would be selfish to say, as it would have meant them suffering and not living a full life. I know they are in heaven smiling down. With the experience of caring for my parents, I was able to secure a job as a direct support professional. I was later offered a job as a case manager and excelled to become a team leader. Gradually I was promoted to being a care coordinator and from then on, I just knew this was meant for me. This is my calling; this is my life’s purpose. I went on to experience greater things in this field of Human Services. To care and help individuals and families find support and services needed to navigate the system to meet their needs, is such an honor and rewarding experience to be involved in. I look back, and a decade has passed since I started and it is now 2017. I would love to thank my parents for giving me the opportunity to have the experience of caring for them and go on to do something great with helping others find care and support in the community.
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