DR ELLIE CANNON: My breast has not bought lumps but it surely’s itchy, ought to I be involved about most cancers?

Recently I’ve been struggling an irritating itch within the centre of my left breast. I’ve checked for lumps however cannot discover something uncommon aside from a white blob on the nipple. Should I see my GP? I’m 72 and on low-dose HRT.

Changes within the breast of a girl over the age of 70 ought to at all times be checked by a GP. It’s unlikely to be something cancerous, however there’s at all times an opportunity it might be.

Typical signs embrace itchiness and a lump or adjustments within the measurement and form of the breast. A distinction to the look of the pores and skin can be a fear, corresponding to a rash or dimpling of the pores and skin.

Nipple adjustments are essential – verify for alterations in color, discharge or when it turns inwards.

One unusual sort of breast most cancers known as Paget’s illness, which particularly impacts the nipple, inflicting pores and skin adjustments that may look a bit like eczema.

Other cancers may trigger signs that have an effect on the nipple. This is why these adjustments in older ladies are at all times taken significantly and often end in a referral to a breast clinic.

Assessing potential issues within the breast includes greater than a mammogram. An examination at a breast clinic will even embrace an ultrasound and maybe a biopsy. Opting for a mammogram alone dangers lacking one thing.

All ladies are entitled to breast screening each three years between the ages of fifty and 70. Those over 70 can request a mammogram by contacting native breast-screening providers, however the GP is the primary port of name.

Of course, the breast and nipple could be affected by delicate pores and skin issues identical to every other a part of the physique. Itchiness could be brought on by dry pores and skin, dermatitis or irritation.

I undergo horrible bronchial asthma and appear to maintain selecting up chest infections, which makes it laborious to breathe. In the previous week or so I’ve additionally began to expertise issues with my again – a lot in order that I’ve to lie down. Could the 2 issues be associated?

It is not uncommon for folks with dangerous bronchial asthma to wrestle with again ache, particularly in the event that they’re vulnerable to chest infections, which in themselves may cause ache. This could be due to a complication of the an infection itself. An instance is pleurisy – when the layers that cowl the lungs change into infected.

Anyone struggling extreme bronchial asthma must be underneath shut medical assessment, particularly if they’ve frequent chest infections. Lung-function testing or a specialist assessment could also be wanted.

Asthma may cause bouts of coughing which may usually end in pulled muscular tissues, aches and pains. It can be doable to develop a foul again by way of a scarcity of train and motion because of breathlessness.

However, ache within the decrease again is quite common, usually triggered by a clumsy motion or pressure, so might be unrelated to bronchial asthma. Doctors confer with this as ‘easy’ again ache, to reassure sufferers that it’s not critical.

Back ache usually lasts about six weeks per episode and it’s common that sufferers need to lie down, however medical doctors don’t advocate mattress relaxation – light train is the important thing to restoration. Helpful actions are listed on the NHS web site. Taking painkillers recurrently is beneficial because it permits you to transfer extra comfortably. Non-medical ache aid, corresponding to warmth pads or acupuncture, can also assist.

Try visiting an osteopath or physiotherapist for extra assist.

My 30-year-old daughter developed polycystic ovarian syndrome in her late teenagers and has suffered horrible hair progress on her face since. I puzzled if there have been any new therapies for these signs? The GP prescribed a cream and the Pill, however neither labored. Would it assist if she had her ovaries eliminated?

Polycystic ovarian syndrome, usually referred to as PCOS, is a quite common situation involving a number of cysts that develop on the ovaries. But cysts alone don’t imply you’ve gotten the situation.

Many ladies have cysts on their ovaries and expertise no signs. A prognosis is made provided that blood-test outcomes are irregular and the affected person is affected by irregular intervals, extra hair progress and fertility issues. The situation can be linked to weight acquire.

Treatment could be very a lot depending on what a affected person desires, as signs range vastly between people.

Removing the ovaries wouldn’t be an possibility. This would plunge somebody right into a sudden and excessive menopause, which isn’t applicable for younger ladies who might want to have a household.

PCOS is related to insulin issues – the hormone which helps our cells use glucose. A particular sort of consuming plan, referred to as a low-GI weight-reduction plan, will help ladies with PCOS. It focuses on reducing blood sugar ranges and balancing hormones.

The diabetes drug metformin is licensed to be used in PCOS and could be prescribed by a GP. Other choices give attention to particular signs. For hair progress, a dermatologist may provide removing therapies, however this is not at all times out there on the NHS.

Different sorts of hormone tablets can be utilized to stabilise the menstrual cycle. These will help with pores and skin and interval signs. An endocrinologist, who specialises in feminine hormone circumstances, would advise on the fitting sort of tablet to make use of.

Are you left down within the mouth, with no dentist? 

It appears to me that NHS dentistry hasn’t bought any extra accessible since lockdowns ended.

My clinic is inundated with sufferers with dental issues who’ve turned to their GP for assist as a result of they can not get an appointment with their dentist. And I maintain coming throughout terrible tales corresponding to sufferers glueing their enamel again along with superglue, or stuffing chewing gum in a cavity.

Unfortunately, typically there may be little or no that GPs can do – particularly in emergency conditions. We lack the experience and it’s totally doable we’ll get one thing mistaken.

We are sometimes requested for antibiotics to assist infections within the mouth, however this is not at all times the fitting remedy, to not point out the well-known risks of prescribing antibiotics unnecessarily.

If this downside is affecting you, I need to find out about it. Please write to me on the deal with beneath.

Relax, remedy by Zoom works!

I used to be happy to see that well being chiefs have given the inexperienced mild to digital psychological therapies.

Although therapists have been seeing sufferers on Zoom for some time, digital apps and different on-line platforms at the moment are formally really helpful by prescribing watchdog NICE for melancholy and nervousness. Lots of my sufferers are sceptical once I counsel utilizing an app to assist their psychological well being well being.

In reality, a good quantity of high-quality proof suggests this methodology – which often consists of on-line workout routines and distant appointments with therapists – could be pretty much as good as nose to nose remedy. Some sufferers, corresponding to these with disabilities and social nervousness, usually really feel extra comfy once they do not see somebody in particular person.

Personal consultations could be the best, however we merely do not have sufficient psychologists – NHS or personal – to satisfy the rising demand.