Staying Healthy

“Doc, I am worried about 1999. I will be 41 and I want to stay healthy. How can I do it?”

Although Dave likes to plan ahead, he has difficulty remembering the five commandments of good health. He has been busy travelling and has no control over where he eats, what he eats, and how often he eats.

Dave has no time for regular exercise. His business lunches and dinners are not without good wine and alcohol. He forgets that alcohol is heavy in calories and devoid of nutrition

Dave has been working hard to quit smoking and get his weight under control. He finds this stressful. There are two other sources of stress in his life: dealing with difficult people and time management.

Dave feels trapped. He feels helpless. He wants to get control of his life.

“Doc, when I was growing up, my father used to say: son, your health comes first, your family comes second and your work comes third. Doc, in my case it is in reverse order!”

Dave cannot afford to give up his present job. The money is good. His wife, Susan, has a good salary as a legal secretary. They need two incomes to raise children, have a decent lifestyle and save money for holidays and retirement. Unfortunately, Dave’s lifestyle is anything but decent.

It is time to get tough. Dave, the first commandment of good health is to quit smoking. If you are unable to do so then get help. There are many programs to chose from. Pick one and stick to it.

Dave, the second commandment is to exercise daily. In your travels, pick hotels with swimming pool and health club. Get up early and start your day with 30 to 60 minutes of exercise. This will make you feel good, boost your morale and encourage you to follow healthy habits rest of the day. Regular exercise is the ultimate feel-good pill.

The third commandment is to control your weight by healthy eating. Eat diet with high fiber and low fat. Dave, do not forget that fruits and vegetables are good for you! Healthy eating, along with regular exercise, should make you a winner.

Dave smiles. I am serious. He should know, the pressure is on!

“Go on doc,” says Dave, looking little relaxed than when we started.

Dave, the fourth commandment is to have a regular physical checkup with your family doctor. Your doctor will recommend to you screening tests which may help detect conditions in early stage when it can be cured or controlled.

Finally, the fifth commandment is to control your alcohol intake. Besides being devoid of nutrition, it plays an adverse role in your weight control. Excessive alcohol intake leads to health and social problems which destroys your hard work and all your dreams.

“Doc, I promise you, next year things are going to be different. I know the odds are against me but I have to do it, for my family and me.”

Good luck, Dave. May peace be with you.

(This series of articles explore the health problems of Dave and his family. They are composite characters of a typical family with health problems)

Start reading the preview of my book A Doctor's Journey for free on Amazon. Available on Kindle for $2.99!

Ovarian and Uterine Cancer

“Dr. B, can we discuss early detection and prevention of cancers of the ovary and uterus?”

Sure, Susan. I will give you some information today and you discuss this further with your family doctor and/or gynecologist. Remember cancer of the uterus can be either in its body (endometrial) or in its opening (cervix).

In 1993, 606 Alberta women were diagnosed with invasive (beyond the superficial layer) cancers of the female genital organs: endometrial 256, ovary 203, cervix 122 and others 25. This does not include 1517 women who were diagnosed with in-situ (confined to the superficial layer) cancers of the cervix.

“What symptoms would I have if I had cancer of the ovary or uterus?”

Susan, unfortunately the early symptoms are none or very vague. Early diagnosis of ovarian cancer is more a matter of chance. Irregular vaginal bleeding may be the only early sign of uterine cancer. Hence, most of the gynecological cancers are picked up at a late stage. Of course, the Pap smear has completely changed the outcome of cervical cancers.

“Doctor, are there any risk factors which I should be aware of?”

Susan, for ovarian cancer, the risk factors are age (steady rise up to age 80) and family history. For endometrial cancer – age, obesity and estrogen therapy are major risk factors. For cervical cancer, the risk factors are well recognized. These are: some types of sexually transmitted disease(s), early age at first intercourse, and having multiple sexual partners.

“Doctor, what about screening tests?”

Susan, for ovarian and endometrial cancers, there are no recommendation for screening. But for cervical cancer, Pap smear is highly recommended. In U.S., this has reduced the incidence and death rate by 70 percent in the last 40 years.

Invasive cervical cancer is usually diagnosed between the ages of 45 and 50. But the average age of women with carcinoma in-situ is between 25 and 30 with evidence of increase in younger women. This could be related to risky health practices, such as experimenting with new ideas, relationships and activities during adolescence which may have long term adverse consequences.

“Dr. B, final question! How often should a woman get a Pap smear?”

Susan, for those who are not at high risk, first Pap smear should be done soon after the age of 18 or once the woman is sexually active. If this is normal and the one after a year is also normal then repeat after every three years until age 70.

It is very important for every woman to discuss her risk factors with her family doctor and/or gynecologist. Recommendations may vary. Any unexpected vaginal bleeding should be reported to your doctor to see if further investigation is required.

“Thank you, doctor,” Susan said as she got ready to leave my office. She continues to strive for good health for herself and her family. I admire her dedication.

(This series of articles explore the health problems of Dave and his family. They are composite characters of a typical family with health problems)

Start reading the preview of my book A Doctor's Journey for free on Amazon. Available on Kindle for $2.99!

Pancreatic Cancer

“Doc, few days ago, my neighbor’s wife, Yazmin, died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 59. Her husband, Yusuf, is devastated. He feels guilty. He thinks he could have done more to save her.”

Dave looks upset. I know when something is bothering him because normally he would say: What’s up doc? Busy today?

“Dave, here is some information which may help.”

Pancreatic cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in North America. In 1992, 214 Albertans died of the disease (males 114, females 100). In 1993, 216 new cases were diagnosed in this province (males 98, females 118).

The prognosis is dismal. The overall 5 year survival rate is less than 2 percent, the worst of any cancer. Only 20 percent of the patients will be diagnosed at stage where surgery may offer hope.

The surgery is extensive with significant complications. Even those who survive the ordeal, the 5 year prognosis may not be better than 25 percent.

“Doc, why is it difficult to make an early diagnoses?”

Two main reasons: first, the pancreas is a long, narrow, transverse, deep seated organ behind the stomach in the upper abdomen; second, the initial symptoms are none or very vague. By the time ultrasound or CAT scan picks it up, it is too late.

Dave is surprised to hear that. He tells me about the difficulties Yusuf and Yazmin have overcome over the past 25 years. They had arrived penniless as refugees from Uganda with six children: the youngest, triplets, were about a year old.

Yusuf is a good watch repairer. After moving from few unsatisfactory jobs, he opened his own business: a jewelry shop. Yazmin did the “salesmanship” and Yusuf repaired watches. They were happy.

As parents, they had their share of problems raising children. Their oldest daughter has multiple sclerosis. Now, Yusuf has to deal with the tragedy of losing his wife.

Dave was almost in tears. “Doc, what causes pancreatic cancer?”

The precise cause is unknown. Smoking and chronic inflammation are suspected in the causation of the disease. An estimated 5-10 percent of pancreatic cancers are inherited and additional 10-20 percent may have other significant genetic influence (Current Oncology-July 1998).

“Doc, thanks for listening. I will go and see Yusuf. See if I can help him with the information I have.”

Good luck, Dave.

(This series of articles explore the health problems of Dave and his family. They are composite characters of a typical family with health problems)

Start reading the preview of my book A Doctor's Journey for free on Amazon. Available on Kindle for $2.99!

Rectal Bleeding and Hemorrhoids

“Hello doctor, I am Maggie, Susan’s mother. I have been passing blood in my stool. Do you think it is hemorrhoids? Dave and Susan think it could be cancer.”

Maggie is sixty seven. She has been bleeding rectally for the last two years. Over-the-counter medications for local application have not helped. Has she got colon or rectal (colorectal) cancer?

Colorectal cancer affects men and women equally. It is the fourth most common cancer site. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men and women combined ( A Snapshot of Cancer in Alberta-1996).

Do we know what causes colorectal cancer? No. If we did then prevention and cure would be easy. But we do know the risk factors.

Like breast cancer, age is a significant factor. Before the age of forty, the incidence is pretty low. But by the age of fifty, the risk begins to increase dramatically.

What about lifestyle and nutrition?

Studies have shown that death from colorectal cancer can decrease with increased intake of fiber, fruits, and vegetables. Decrease in fat intake also helps.

Increased physical activity, aspirin and avoiding cigarette smoking may be beneficial.

Heredity and genetics is now recognized as a risk factor for this disease. Studies have shown that if there is a family history of colorectal cancer in a parent or a sibling , then a person’s lifetime risk of colorectal cancer jumps from 1.8 fold to 8.0 fold.

Previous history of colorectal cancer or polyps, inflammatory bowel disease and exposure to radiation are other significant risk factors.

With this information in the back of my mind, I take a full history from Maggie and do a thorough physical examination.

The physical examination is normal. A digital rectal examination reveals no suspicious lumps. A proctosigmoidoscopy ( a hollow tube with a light at one end to examine the rectum) shows internal hemorrhoids but no lumps to suggest a new growth of tissue.

Although Maggie has internal hemorrhoids, there are about fifty percent chances that the blood could be coming from higher up in the colon. This may or may not be due to cancer. But she requires further investigation like colonoscopy.

Examination of the entire colon by colonoscopy (a thin, flexible tube made of fibers that transmit light) is the most important test for looking, taking biopsies and when possible, removing growths. Maggie agrees to have the test done as soon as possible.

Maggie has to take laxatives to clean the colon completely of waste products the day before the procedure. The test is done at the hospital as day surgery and under sedation.

A polyp (new growth of tissue) is discovered and removed during colonoscopy. This is sent to the lab for testing to see if it is benign or malignant. In the meantime, she makes an appointment to see me in the office for the results.

Susan accompanies Maggie to make sure her Mom understands the results and its implications. Susan also wants to know how the findings will affect her (Susan’s) health in the future.

“Maggie, I have good news for you. The polyp is benign in nature but it’s a type which can come back and turn into cancer if not picked up early and removed.”

“Dr. B, thank you for the good news. Now I have the same old question for you. How can my mom and I stay one step ahead of the game?” Susan asks with a sense of relief.

Eat less fat. Eat more fiber-containing foods. Have a digital rectal examination and annual stool test for hidden blood and colonoscopy every 3 to 5 years. Report to your doctor earlier if there is any change in bowel habit.

Maggie and Susan are happy that this is all over. As they leave the examination room, I overheard Maggie say to Susan, “I hope now you will listen to your mother and start eating bran flakes cereal in the morning!”

(This series of articles explore the health problems of Dave and his family. They are composite characters of a typical family with health problems)

Start reading the preview of my book A Doctor's Journey for free on Amazon. Available on Kindle for $2.99!