Page 133 - Petelin, Ana. 2021. Ed. Zdravje starostnikov / Health of the Elderly. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press.
P. 133
https://doi.org/10.26493/978-961-293-129-2.131-141
The impact of oral cancer on the quality
of life of older patients
Marjeta Logar Čuček
Ljubljana University Medical Centre, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
marjetalogar@gmail.com
Abstract
Introduction: Oral cancer is one of the most severe illnesses of the oral
cavity. It is predominantly caused by smoking and alcohol consumption.
Poor oral hygiene could also be one of the causes. In younger patients
and non-smokers, the human papilloma virus has been identified to
cause the disease, moreover, hereditary and environmental factors
also play an important role. Due to their lifestyle, men suffer from the
disease more frequently, however, it also affects women and people
under 50. The treatment process is typically multimodal with a view
to recovery, lowering the occurrence of complications and achieving
patient independence. The objective of the study was to make a review
of literature dealing with connections between oral cancer in older
patients and their way of life, as well as to assess their quality of life after
their return to their work and social environments. Methods: A review
literature in both Slovenian and English language, published between
2015 and 2020, has been carried out. Relevant databases of scientific
and professional literature, webpages of professional organisations and
various other digital and printed sources have been used. The search
included words and phrases such as cancer, lifestyle, prevention, quality
of life. To achieve a more precise searching procedure, the PRISM
scheme has been used. Results: The identified hits have been described,
analysed and evaluated. The results demonstrate a partial connection
between the incidence of oral cancer in older patients and their lifestyle.
The recovery process of patients after an oral cancer operation does not
include only satisfying their physiological needs but also taking care
of their psychological, social and mental needs in order to improve
the quality of their lives. Discussion and conclusion: There are many
important factors that significantly influence lowering the risk of oral
cancer. Among the most important ones are lifestyle, taking care of
health, prevention activities, timely action when noticing changes that
The impact of oral cancer on the quality
of life of older patients
Marjeta Logar Čuček
Ljubljana University Medical Centre, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
marjetalogar@gmail.com
Abstract
Introduction: Oral cancer is one of the most severe illnesses of the oral
cavity. It is predominantly caused by smoking and alcohol consumption.
Poor oral hygiene could also be one of the causes. In younger patients
and non-smokers, the human papilloma virus has been identified to
cause the disease, moreover, hereditary and environmental factors
also play an important role. Due to their lifestyle, men suffer from the
disease more frequently, however, it also affects women and people
under 50. The treatment process is typically multimodal with a view
to recovery, lowering the occurrence of complications and achieving
patient independence. The objective of the study was to make a review
of literature dealing with connections between oral cancer in older
patients and their way of life, as well as to assess their quality of life after
their return to their work and social environments. Methods: A review
literature in both Slovenian and English language, published between
2015 and 2020, has been carried out. Relevant databases of scientific
and professional literature, webpages of professional organisations and
various other digital and printed sources have been used. The search
included words and phrases such as cancer, lifestyle, prevention, quality
of life. To achieve a more precise searching procedure, the PRISM
scheme has been used. Results: The identified hits have been described,
analysed and evaluated. The results demonstrate a partial connection
between the incidence of oral cancer in older patients and their lifestyle.
The recovery process of patients after an oral cancer operation does not
include only satisfying their physiological needs but also taking care
of their psychological, social and mental needs in order to improve
the quality of their lives. Discussion and conclusion: There are many
important factors that significantly influence lowering the risk of oral
cancer. Among the most important ones are lifestyle, taking care of
health, prevention activities, timely action when noticing changes that
