Page 134 - Petelin, Ana. 2021. Ed. Zdravje starostnikov / Health of the Elderly. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press.
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avje starostnikov | health of the elderly 132 would lower the recovery chances in more advanced stages. In the
treatment process, the psychological preparation of the patient is of
vital importance, as well as their understanding of the disease. Patients’
reintegration into their environment, development of communication
skills and accepting themselves is frequently a long process that demands
the cooperation of professionals, patient and their family members.
There is no price that is too high to pay if the desired result is quality life.
Keywords: cancer, lifestyle, prevention, quality of life
Introduction
Mouth cancer can affect the area of lips, oral cavity and larynx. It is one of the
most widespread malign diseases in Slovenia since it accounts for 54 % of all
cases of head and neck cancer. The incidence of lip cancer is decreasing, where-
as the cancer of the oral cavity and larynx is on the rise. (Blatnik et al., 2019).
Alcohol consumption and smoking are largely responsible for oral cavity
cancer (Blatnik et al., 2019; Logar Čuček, 2020), combining the two adds even
more to the development of cancer – the negative effects of use grow exponen-
tially (Radoï and Luce, 2013; Strojan et al., 2018). Another factor linked with
the development of the disease and growing in the developed world, is infec-
tion with the human papilloma virus (HPV) in younger patients where other
risk factors are present only to a smaller extend or are not present at all (Strojan
et al., 2015; Blatnik et al., 2019 ). Other factors contributing to the development
of oral cavity cancer are poor oral hygiene, lower socio-economic status, un-
healthy diet, exposure to harmful chemicals in the work environment, ultravi-
olet radiation, weakened immune system, hereditary and environmental fac-
tors (Radoï and Luce, 2013; Didanovič, 2015; Blatnik et al., 2019; Dovšak, 2019).
In the last decade, men are three times more likely to suffer from oral cav-
ity cancer; their average age is 50 years (Blatnik et al., 2019; Montero and Patel,
2015). Changes in smoking and drinking habits significantly contribute to ris-
ing incidence of oral cavity cancer in women and population younger than 50
years. Similar to other types of cancer, with age the chances of developing oral
cavity cancer increase (Dovšak, 2019).
Oral cavity cancer is predominantly diagnosed in an advanced stage
(Dovšak, 2006). Therefore, it is of vital importance for the oral cavity to be reg-
ularly checked, irrespective of patient’s complaints. All changes in the oral cav-
ity, for example ulcers that do not heal in two weeks, white or red patches in the
lining of the mouth call for an immediate visit to the doctor or dentist, who de-
cides what the best course of action should be, for example more frequent mon-
itoring or referral to a specialist. Most cancer diseases start with precancerous
changes, the most common being cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (Kan-
sky, 2015; Blatnik et. al, 2019).
Oral cavity cancer treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach and
includes experts from different fields. It is comprised of three parts: diagnosis,
treatment process, the psychological preparation of the patient is of
vital importance, as well as their understanding of the disease. Patients’
reintegration into their environment, development of communication
skills and accepting themselves is frequently a long process that demands
the cooperation of professionals, patient and their family members.
There is no price that is too high to pay if the desired result is quality life.
Keywords: cancer, lifestyle, prevention, quality of life
Introduction
Mouth cancer can affect the area of lips, oral cavity and larynx. It is one of the
most widespread malign diseases in Slovenia since it accounts for 54 % of all
cases of head and neck cancer. The incidence of lip cancer is decreasing, where-
as the cancer of the oral cavity and larynx is on the rise. (Blatnik et al., 2019).
Alcohol consumption and smoking are largely responsible for oral cavity
cancer (Blatnik et al., 2019; Logar Čuček, 2020), combining the two adds even
more to the development of cancer – the negative effects of use grow exponen-
tially (Radoï and Luce, 2013; Strojan et al., 2018). Another factor linked with
the development of the disease and growing in the developed world, is infec-
tion with the human papilloma virus (HPV) in younger patients where other
risk factors are present only to a smaller extend or are not present at all (Strojan
et al., 2015; Blatnik et al., 2019 ). Other factors contributing to the development
of oral cavity cancer are poor oral hygiene, lower socio-economic status, un-
healthy diet, exposure to harmful chemicals in the work environment, ultravi-
olet radiation, weakened immune system, hereditary and environmental fac-
tors (Radoï and Luce, 2013; Didanovič, 2015; Blatnik et al., 2019; Dovšak, 2019).
In the last decade, men are three times more likely to suffer from oral cav-
ity cancer; their average age is 50 years (Blatnik et al., 2019; Montero and Patel,
2015). Changes in smoking and drinking habits significantly contribute to ris-
ing incidence of oral cavity cancer in women and population younger than 50
years. Similar to other types of cancer, with age the chances of developing oral
cavity cancer increase (Dovšak, 2019).
Oral cavity cancer is predominantly diagnosed in an advanced stage
(Dovšak, 2006). Therefore, it is of vital importance for the oral cavity to be reg-
ularly checked, irrespective of patient’s complaints. All changes in the oral cav-
ity, for example ulcers that do not heal in two weeks, white or red patches in the
lining of the mouth call for an immediate visit to the doctor or dentist, who de-
cides what the best course of action should be, for example more frequent mon-
itoring or referral to a specialist. Most cancer diseases start with precancerous
changes, the most common being cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (Kan-
sky, 2015; Blatnik et. al, 2019).
Oral cavity cancer treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach and
includes experts from different fields. It is comprised of three parts: diagnosis,
