Dr. Peter Brett is an oncologist working with the Commonwealth Health Care Corp. in Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands. Committed to professionalism and continuous development, Dr. Peter Brett is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
ASCO is focused on improving treatment outcomes for patients diagnosed with cancer. It runs cancer.net, a platform that gives patients and their families expert advice and resources to help them make informed health care decisions.
In August 2019, cancer.net published an article identifying ways seniors diagnosed with cancer can stay safe during treatment. According to ASCO, the first step is to avoid falls. All seniors are more prone to falls. Their likelihood of falling increases significantly when they are receiving cancer treatment because both the disease and its treatment can affect patients with fatigue, dizziness, and muscle weakness.
To avoid falls, seniors’ family members should clear all clutter and obstructions from pathways at home, install lighting in dark living spaces, install grab bars and rails to make homes safer and easier to navigate, and install a shower chair. They can also purchase new footwear for the senior patients, specifically, shoes which fit well, are low-heeled, and have aggressive anti-slip soles. These should be worn at home as well as outside. Patients with cancer who are undergoing treatment should not wear high-heeled shoes or walk around the house just wearing socks, as both these things increase the likelihood of falls.
Lastly, families of seniors undergoing cancer treatment should hire caregivers to help the seniors perform everyday tasks that present a challenge for them. Hiring caregivers will also improve adherence to treatment plans and checkup attendance.
Dr. Peter Brett 