WELLBEING A-Z
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. The incidence of breast cancer is on the rise with an increase from 1 in 20 in 1960 to 1 in 7 women today.
The risk of breast cancer increases with age. It is very low for those in their twenties. The incidence gradually increases and plateaus at the age of forty-five. At age 50 it dramatically increases. Fifty percent of breast cancer is diagnosed in women over sixty-five indicating the ongoing necessity of yearly screening throughout a woman's life.
Many misconceptions surround breast cancer:
It is not exclusively a woman's disease - men are also at risk! For every 100 women diagnosed, 1 man is also afflicted.
It is not communicable.
If your mother or grandmother had breast cancer - don't despair you are not guaranteed to have it. Be positive and have a mammogram 5 years before the age of their diagnosis.
prevention is key!
A weekly routine of four hours exercise reduces the risk of breast cancer. Exercise pumps up the immune system and cuts the oestrogen level.
High fat diets increase the risk of breast cancer. Fat triggers the hormone oestrogen that fuels tumour growth. It is preferable to eat a low-fat, nutritious diet filled with fruits and vegetables.
One or two drinks a day slightly increases your risk of breast cancer. The more alcohol you drink, the higher your risk.
Smoking in general has a negative impact on your general heath, although it does not cause breast cancer, it decreases your survival rate if diagnosed with the disease.
An increased risk of breast cancer occurs for women under the age of 35 who have been using birth control pills for 10+ years.
bse (breast self-exam)
Examining your breasts is an important way to find a breast cancer early, when it's most likely to be cured. Not every cancer can be found this way, but it is a critical step you can and should take for yourself. Give yourself a breast self-exam once a month. Look for any changes in breast tissue, such as changes in size, a lump, dimpling or puckering of the breast, or a discharge from the nipple. 8 out of 10 lumps are not cancerous.
mammograms
A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray for evaluating breast health conditions. During a mammogram, you stand at an x-ray machine, and your breast is gently placed between two plastic plates which are then compressed to spread your breast tissue and render a clearer picture of very small areas. The compression may be slightly uncomfortable, but it is not painful and lasts only a few seconds. Usually, two x-ray photos are taken of each breast from two different angles. It is generally more comfortable to have a mammogram a week after your menstrual cycle when your breasts are less tender. It is recommended to have a mammogram every year if you are over 40. Free mammograms are available at the Association Española Contra el Cancer in Marbella Monday - Friday, 8:00 -15:00. For an appointment call 952 776 800 or 952 861 853.
Mammograms are part of an annual gynaecological routine exam. We recommend that you have a check up.
birth control pill and the morning after pill
In Spain birth control tablets are available over the counter at the chemist. The brand names and doses are different, so it is important that you bring the chemical composition of your usual pill. The chemist will offer you the closest equivalent prescription.
Hormonal emergency contraception, also known as the "morning after pill," is licensed for use up to three days after intercourse. Copper intrauterine devices may also be used as emergency contraception. For this use, they must be inserted within five days of the birth control failure or unprotected intercourse.
other contraception methods
Barrier methods include condoms which are a very sensible option because they help control the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Condoms can be purchased at the chemists and supermarkets by anyone tall enough to reach the counter.
cellulite describes a dimpling of skin, caused by the protrusion of subcutaneous fat into the dermis. It does not pose a health threat, rather it is simply unaesthetic. Cellulite is not related to being overweight; cosmetic laser manufacturers, such as Syneron, claim success after a few applications of their products. Other cosmetic procedures such as mesotherapy, endermologie, & laser treatments have produced inconclusive results. Dieting does not get rid of the dimpled appearance, but a balanced diet and exercise may help.
cholesterol
If you have a higher than healthy cholesterol level, you should take the first step and adjust what you eat, to help lower it. Consult your GP to decide if tablets are needed to lower your cholesterol. In a nut shell, you should avoid fat - so limit:
Fried foods, fish and chips and fatty meat
Full-fat milk, cream, cheese and butter
Luscious cakes, pastries, savoury snacks and biscuits
coronary heart disease (chd)
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) refers to disease of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, which in turn damages the heart. The heart is a muscular bag that has four compartments. It serves as a pump sending blood to the lungs, receiving oxygen and pumping out oxygen-enriched blood to all the body's vital organs. All muscles need a blood supply including the heart. The heart is supplied with blood via the coronary arteries. When the arteries become blocked with fatty substances, one has a heart attack. Smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes and obesity increase your risk. More importantly a lack of exercise and a family history of CHD are factors. Men have higher incidence of heart disease. While you can't pick your parents, you can stop smoking, have routine check ups and monitor your cholesterol level and blood pressure.
erectile dysfunction (ed)
Erectile dysfunction is when you have trouble getting or keeping an erection. ED becomes more common as you get older; however and most importantly it is not a natural part of ageing.
Although you may feel uncomfortable speaking with your doctor about sexual matters, you really should! ED can be a warning sign of more serious health problems. It may mean you have clogged blood vessels or damage caused by diabetes. If you don't see your doctor, these problems will go untreated. There are several new treatments for ED. Often the solution is as simple as taking a pill. Getting more exercise, losing weight or stopping smoking may also help.
hair loss
The most common form of hair loss in men is male pattern baldness (formally referred to as genetic hair loss or alopecia androgenetica.) This develops gradually and is typified by the appearance of a bald spot on the crown along with thinning at the temples. Hair loss generally strikes men in their early thirties. Male pattern baldness is genetic, so if male relatives on your mother's side went bald early, the chances are that you will too. Tales tell that eunuchs never went bald and that bald men have a higher testosterone level and are therefore more virile. There is some evidence of that, but most medical experts believe this to be irrelevant, rather citing that over-sensitivity of scalp hair follicles to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Hair loss can affect self esteem and you should seek out medical advice with your GP or a professionally qualified trichologist. Prescription treatments include Regaine, Propecia, and anti-androgen therapy.
ibs (irritable bowel syndrome) is characterised by a group of symptoms in which abdominal pain or discomfort is associated with a change in bowel pattern, such as loose or more frequent bowel movements or diarrhoea, and/or hard or less frequent bowel movements or constipation. The impact of IBS can range from mild inconvenience to severe debilitation, controlling many aspects of one's emotional, social and professional life. Treatment options are available to manage IBS - whether symptoms are mild, moderate, or severe. Symptoms can often be managed with changes to a healthier lifestyle, or dietary changes such as modifying consumption of foods that seem to influence symptoms.
insomnia
Insomnia symptoms include:
Inability to fall asleep within 30-40 minutes of going to bed
Using pills or alcohol to get to sleep
Restlessness with frequent waking during the night
Waking up too early or feeling unrested
Insomnia has numerous and not always immediately obvious causes. Analysing your health, environment and lifestyle should reveal the source of the problem and how to treat it. Psychologically speaking, stress, worry, anger and grief are common causes. Studies suggest anxiety and depression contribute to up to 80% of cases. Some medical conditions such as heart disease, breathing problems, sleep apnoea, digestive problems, high blood pressure, restless leg syndrome, arthritis, anorexia, and chronic fatigue syndrome can disturb sleep.
Professionals suggest that you make your bedroom a sanctuary where you can seek peaceful, noiseless relaxation. Buy a good mattress, don't dine right before bed, do exercise, and speak your mind to either a friend or a professional. Go easier on yourself and why not take a siesta? It may do you the world of good!
male menopause
Fact or fiction? A controversy exists between medical professionals as to whether the male mid-life crisis is a syndrome or a condition. Many men in their 30's, 40's and 50's decide to do an about face and revalorise not only their own lives, but their families as well. We all know cases of men "upgrading" their wives, dumping their careers, or indulging themselves in some kind of extravaganza. While some health professionals argue that these changes are psychological, other doctors and psychologists believe it to be a genuine condition of a hormonal nature. They cite a wide range of symptoms including: irritability, loss of libido, impotence, fatigue and depression.
menopause is the physiological cessation of menstrual cycles and is associated with advancing age in women. Also known as "the change of life," the average onset of menopause is 52 years. As the body adapts to the changing levels of natural hormones, vasomotor symptoms such as hot flushes and palpitations and psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, irritability, mood swings and lack of concentration, as well as atrophic symptoms such as urgency of urination appear. Together with these symptoms, women frequently experience increasingly erratic menstrual periods. The clinical features of menopause are caused by lessening amounts of oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in the woman's body. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may provide the best relief, but certain forms appear to pose significant health risks. Alternative therapies such as acupuncture have been proven effective. Soy isoflavones have been found to be very helpful in stabilising symptoms. Be wary of black cohosh treatments - they pose health threats with serious side-effects such as the stimulation of breast cancer.
Each of us must come to terms with the ageing process. We must all try to adapt our personal identity, lifestyle and habits to the body that accompanies us.
The journey into middle age is bumpy, but by expanding your horizons and developing your personal interests, you will feel better and not solely focus on the milestones. Never underestimate how good exercise will make you feel and if you need to speak with someone - do it! Seek out a qualified counsellor - it can't hurt, in fact, it might provide you with new insight and support.
migranes are a neurological disease, which manifests itself as an intense and disabling episodic headache. Migraine headaches are usually characterised by severe pain on one or both sides of the head. Migraines are often accompanied by photophobia (hypersensitivity to light), phonophobia (hypersensitivity to sound) and nausea. Migrane treatments across the board from prevention to acupuncture; from cannabis to Botox. Kudzu root (Pueraria lobata) has been demonstrated to help with menstrual migraine headaches and cluster headaches. Headaches can also be linked to food intolerance, for more information, see page 159.
osteoporosis
The main screening test for osteoporosis is called a bone mineral density (BMD) test. It is a painless, non-invasive method of measuring your bone mass. A BMD test can detect osteoporosis before a fracture occurs and can estimate your risk of having a fracture in the future.
osteoporosis prevention
Get enough calcium. You need at least 1,200 milligrams of this mineral daily, but experts estimate that many women consume less than half that amount. Some good sources include low-fat yogurt (448 milligrams per cup), skimmed milk (352 milligrams per cup) and calcium-fortified orange or grapefruit juice (350 milligrams per cup). If you suspect you're not getting 1,200 milligrams, take a calcium supplement, preferably one that also contains vitamin D, which helps maximize the mineral's absorption.
pap smear testing is a medical screening method, invented by Georgios Papanikolaou, primarily designed to detect premalignant and malignant processes in the ectocervix. The test samples cells from the outer opening of the cervix and aims to detect and prevent the progression of cervical cancer and other abnormalities. About 5% to 7% of pap smears produce abnormal results, such as dysplasia, which indicates the possibility of a pre-cancerous condition. Often many low grade cervical dysplasias spontaneously regress without ever leading to cervical cancer. Dysplasia serves as an indicator to be vigilant. Pap smears are part of an annual gynaecological routine exam. We recommend that you have a check up.
prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is rare in men under 40, but it is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages. Levels of a substance called prostate specific antigen (PSA) is often high in men with prostate cancer. However, PSA can also be high with other prostate conditions. Since the PSA test became common, most prostate cancers are found before they cause symptoms. Symptoms of prostate cancer may include
Difficulty or discomfort in passing urine
Lower back pain
Pain with ejaculation
Prostate cancer treatment often depends on the stage of the cancer. How fast the cancer grows and how different it is from surrounding tissue helps determine the stage. Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or control of hormones that affect the cancer are often employed.
prostate diseases
The prostate is a gland that helps make semen. The prostate surrounds the tube that carries urine away from the bladder and out of the body. A young man's prostate is about the size of a walnut. As men age, it slowly grows larger and if it gets too large, it may cause problems. Men, over 50 are more likely to have prostate trouble.
Some common problems are:
Prostatitis - an infection, usually caused by bacteria
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - an enlarged prostate, which may trigger nocturnal urgings to urinate or slight incontinence.
testicular problems
There are numerous afflictions and illnesses that can occur in the testicular region. When the epididymis, the tube that transports sperm from the testicle towards the penis, swells, the condition is known as epididymo-orchitis. A urine test can diagnose this painful condition which can be treated with antibiotics.
varicose veins are veins that have become enlarged and twisted. This frequently occurs to veins on the legs produced by the strain of standing or sitting in one position to long. Veins have leaflet valves to prevent blood from flowing backwards (retrograde). Leg muscles pump the veins to return blood to the heart. When veins become enlarged, the leaflets of the valves no longer meet properly, and the valves don't work. The blood collects in the veins and they enlarge even more. Besides cosmetic problems, varicose veins are often painful, especially when standing or walking. They often itch, and scratching them can cause ulcers. Serious complications are rare. Non-surgical treatments include elastic stockings, elevating the legs, and exercise. The standard surgical treatment is vein stripping to remove the affected veins. Newer surgical treatments are less invasive but have not been tested as thoroughly.