I am 72 years old, and have a history of cancer (ovarian and histiocytoma in my leg). Five years ago I had a mastectomy, and I have scar tissue from the surgery. A few months ago I developed pink scar tissue in the area where the staple was pulled out. Within the pink scar tissue a large dark mole came, then another. It oozes occasionally, and at times is painful--usually after I do housework. I have had other large dark moles that eventually fall off, as well as several moles that start out as skin color and itchy, but then turn into dark moles. Should I be concerned about them? |
When a person has treatment for cancer of the breast--or any cancer--it is vital that continued communication between the patient and therapist be maintained. It is not easy for us to diagnose exactly what is happening in the scars of your surgery. It could be several things. Depending on the type of wound closure used, there could be remnants of suture material beneath the skin. These crusted lesions could represent small pockets of infection. The major concern, though, is that these could be small clusters of recurrent cancer. Sometimes cancer cells will grow in the incision line, if they were microscopically present at the time of surgery. You mention the lesions as ?moles?; a doctor should definitely check those out. They may be related to your histiocytosis. Not being able to see the actual lesions severely limits our ability to comment. But we are printing this question so that you and others who read this will get the most important advice: Go back to the doctor or the team who did the surgery and have the problem evaluated by people who know your situation. |
We are complex in our makeup, and often when we have experienced a traumatic event such as yours with breast cancer we want to avoid further contact with the situation that evokes anxiety. You must, however, for the sake of your health, overcome your fears and go back to the doctors. A simple explanation may be able to allay all your fears, or a simple additional treatment put you back on the road to health.
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Hemorrhoids are varicose veins below the anal mucosa that can bulge through the sphincter and cause pain, itching, bleeding--and even lead to anemia. If all you have are hemorrhoids, you have several options. Various creams are available that will mollify the irritation and soreness of the hemorrhoids. Surgeries of various kinds--from placing elastic ligatures to dissection--have been performed. Very often, the problem is related to constipation. There are three extremely easy control measures for constipation. First, consciously increase the intake of dietary fiber. This is readily accomplished by eating bran cereals, but a plentiful use of fruits, vegetables, and legumes usually accomplishes this first step. Second, there must be sufficient water to keep the fiber soft and bulky. The water requirement is higher in hot weather than in cold weather. Make sure that at least eight glasses of water are taken each day. The third step is the most important: Make time for a bowel movement. Many of us are so rushed and time-pressured that we neglect basic functions. Sit and wait until the bowel has an action. Do this regularly before your bathtime, and within a month you will be as regular as clockwork. |
Now that?s all about hemorrhoids. But the reason I am answering this question is really not about getting you regular! The crux of the question here is that any type of rectal bleeding requires investigation.
It may be--and likely is--that your bleeding is related to your hemorrhoids. But bleeding can indicate many other potentially serious problems as well. These can range from polyps, colitis, to the much-feared cancer. No matter how frightening the thought, cancer can be beaten--especially if it is attacked early. The first step is to make a diagnosis. So I agree with your husband: Make that appointment. Today.
Sometimes hemorrhoids are made worse by other pathology in the bowel, so such a possibility is best excluded. I did not discuss blood in the stool from higher in the gastrointestinal tract, where it may in passage through the bowel darken in color, and even give black stools. Nor did I talk about blood and mucus, etc. The bottom line (pardon the pun) is that any bleeding, of any color, requires investigation.
Now for those complacent ones reading this column: if you are over 50 years of age, have you had your colonoscopy? Let?s hop to it, and go see the doctor. Why take chances with God?s magnificent gift of life?
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My first response is to ask the question ?Is heart disease the sole domain of the male gender?? Absolutely and definitely not! Heart disease remains the number one killer of both men and women. In the United States, statistics since 1984 show that it has claimed the lives of more women than men. Unfortunately, this trend is continuing. The lower outcome of heart disease in women has been thought to be because women?s heart symptoms have not been taken as seriously as men?s have (gender bias). Women tend to exhibit less typical symptoms than do men. However, the result of this gender bias is that women in the past have had less heart catheterization referrals than men when exhibiting similar symptoms. This trend is changing for the better at the present time. Women consistently attend rehabilitation following a cardiac event (heart attack, angioplasty, bypass surgery) less than do men (38 percent of women compared with 67 percent of men). This is a problem that needs to be addressed. |
In short, chest discomfort and shortness of breath may perhaps be part of the constellation of symptoms that plague postmenopausal women. But it is mandatory and a matter of urgency that you see your physician to ensure that all is well with your heart.
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Allan R. Handysides, M.B., Ch.B., F.R.C.P. (c), is director of the General Conference Health Ministries Department; Peter N. Landless, M.B., B.Ch., M.Med., F.C.P.(SA), F.A.C.C., is ICPA executive director and associate director of Health Ministries.
Send your questions to: Ask the Doctors, Adventist Review, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904. Or you may send your questions via e-mail to [email protected]. While this column is provided as a service to our readers, Drs. Landless and Handysides unfortunately cannot enter into personal and private communication with our readers. We recommend that you consult with your personal physician on all matters of your health.