DELA ROSA (right) advises that one should be specific, sympathetic and tactful when dealing with the elderly as some of them may be reluctant to disclose their troubles.
Who would like to see our elder relatives suffering through health issues? While the elderly are particularly vulnerable, both physically and emotionally, they could still enjoy healthier, happier and even longer lives if we only help them follow some simple suggestions.
“A lot of deadly health conditions are very much treatable in their early stage. Identification is only possible if one sees a doctor so that proper diagnosis as well as the most effective treatment may be initiated,” said Dr. Denky dela Rosa during last week’s lay forum organized by the Makati City’s Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs and sanofi-aventis.
“Take them to a doctor regularly, ensure that they get regular exercise and eat the right food as well as provide them with a much safer and secure surroundings,” reminded Dela Rosa, who added that such reminders become much more meaningful this September as the country observes Grandparents’ Month.
A medical oncologist or one who specializes in cancer treatment, Dela Rosa urged her audience not to be timid about bringing elderly members of the family to a doctor.
Watch out
Dr. Egbert Dorado, medical adviser of sanofi-aventis, explained that among men, prostate cancer is one disease they should all be watching out for.
“This lay forum and the Grandparents’ Month observance this September is an excellent time to remind our elderly family members that prostate cancer is now the second most common cancer among Filipino males following lung cancer,” Dorado said.
Dr. Antonio Villalon, a top medical oncologist and Cancer Institute director of the St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City explained that prostate cancer shows no early warning signs—until it’s too late.
“Considering that prostate cancer shows no symptoms during the early stages, one of the most effective means to detect for its presence is for one to take both digital rectal examination (DRE) and the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test since using both increases the chance of detecting cancer when present,” Villalon explained.
He said the DRE could be used to check for growths in or enlargement of the prostate gland. A doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into a man’s rectum to feel for any irregular or abnormally firm area in the prostate.
Since age is considered as one of the primary risk factor, meaning, the older a man is, the higher is his risk, some doctors encourage yearly screening for men over age 50.
Symptoms
Some also advise men who are at a higher risk for prostate cancer to begin screening at age 40 to 45, especially if the individual already notices the following:
Urinates more often.
Gets up at night more often to urinate.
Finds it hard to start urinating.
Finds it hard to keep urinating once he has started.
Finds blood in the urine.
Experiences pain when urinating.
Although less common, a man experiences pain during ejaculation or has difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection.
During the lay forum, Dela Rosa also reminded that family members should also keep a close watch of their elderly male member for any of these symptoms.
“Keeping daily contact with your grandparents would enable you to closely track any changes in their health like weight, energy level and tone of voice. Be patient in your questioning. Some grandparents are reluctant to disclose their troubles, so you will have to be specific, sympathetic and tactful,” Dela Rosa advises.