DR ELLIE CANNON: My grandfather was hit by prostate most cancers so ought to I get examined at age 63?

As my grandfather had prostate most cancers I really feel that I ought to have a PSA take a look at yearly to examine for it. Is that this crucial, and in that case do I’ve to go personal? I’m 63.

Whether or not a person must be screened commonly for prostate most cancers is just not simple, as there are dangers and advantages that must be weighed up.

A PSA blood take a look at appears to be like for ranges of a protein – referred to as prostate particular antigen – that rise when a person has prostate most cancers. The issue is that additionally they rise with different circumstances, together with benign prostate issues, and even after intercourse and vigorous train.

For this reason the UK would not have a PSA screening programme – as a result of the dangers of incorrectly diagnosing prostate issues are great. Males can find yourself having pointless remedies which can be very invasive and can lead to lifelong issues.

Whether or not a person must be screened commonly for prostate most cancers is just not simple, as there are dangers and advantages that must be weighed up (inventory photograph)

So typically an annual take a look at doesn’t make sense.

GPs do provide PSA testing on request, however this could be on the idea of particular person circumstances comparable to household historical past and signs. Having a grandfather with prostate most cancers wouldn’t be uncommon, as it’s common over the age of 80, however a household historical past in a father or brothers can be extra related.

I’m asthmatic and for about two years I’ve been affected by a extreme shortness of breath. I’ve had pleurisy so thought that may be the trigger, however lung scans, blood assessments and different outcomes have all been regular. The docs do not appear to have the ability to pinpoint the reason for my breathlessness. What might it’s?

Shortness of breath could be a results of a bunch of underlying circumstances involving the lungs, the guts, the blood, unwanted side effects from treatment and even psychological problems.

Whereas a symptom of pleurisy is shortness of breath – brought on by irritation of the lungs often from a viral an infection comparable to flu – it’s usually a short-term situation that may be cleared up with antibiotics with out doing any long-term harm.

There are many checks a GP can undertake, together with blood assessments, chest X-ray and spirometry, which measures the capability of the lungs. But when these should not offering a transparent reply, it’s seemingly that a health care provider will confer with a specialist as extra invasive testing may be wanted.

I’m asthmatic and for about two years I’ve been affected by a extreme shortness of breath, a reader asks Dr Ellie (inventory photograph)

This may embrace a bronchoscopy, the place a digicam is inserted into the lungs, or a CT scan of the chest – each give a clearer indication of any lurking illness than an X-ray can.

Actually, a fifth of lung cancers can be missed on a chest X-ray, and blood assessments won’t present it up both.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a little-known lung situation that causes shortness of breath. There are additionally different circumstances that might be detected with specialist assessments.

It is not uncommon for docs to examine the guts when searching for the reason for breathlessness as it may be a symptom of quite a few circumstances, notably valve issues and even coronary heart failure. Each of those could possibly be detected with an echocardiogram scan.

It will also be a symptom of blood issues comparable to anaemia. And many individuals do not contemplate psychological well being issues as a possible reason behind breathlessness, however anxiousness and panic problems are surprisingly frequent culprits.

Just a few weeks in the past I observed a lump on the again of my hand – under my thumb, close to the wrist. It’s on the bone space and could be very painful. I’m 76 – might it’s rheumatoid arthritis?

It is not frequent for rheumatoid arthritis to develop in a single joint over the age of 75. The situation is often symmetrical, affecting each arms on the similar time, and largely seems for the primary time at a youthful age.

When the arthritis impacts one joint, on one facet, it’s usually osteoarthritis or a distinct sort of arthritis comparable to gout. That is particularly seemingly for adults over the age of 75.

Our thumb joints are distinctive and really subtle. They permit our thumb and littlest finger to the touch.

This won’t look like an necessary motion however it’s a phenomena often called opposition – and is what makes us totally different from different animals. It permits us to jot down and use positive devices, however is why the thumb joint suffers plenty of put on and tear, making it notably vulnerable to osteoarthritis.

Most individuals will develop some osteoarthritis of the thumb in some unspecified time in the future in later life. If so, utilizing an anti-inflammatory cream comparable to Voltarol, in addition to ice, will assist.

Hand workout routines really helpful by a physiotherapist can be found from the charity Versus Arthritis.

A quite common lump to seek out on this space, although, can be one thing referred to as a ganglion cyst.

These are comfortable and really feel like a agency gel, and are not at all times painful. They aren’t manufactured from bone, however fluid which usually sits across the tendons within the space and which may leak out and swell beneath this pores and skin.

Ganglion cysts are extra frequent in folks with arthritis. They will simply be recognized throughout a face-to-face session with a GP.

If a ganglion causes persistent ache or difficulties with motion, a small operation could possibly be supplied to take away the fluid. However for most individuals, no remedy is critical.

Strep A deaths are terrible however it isn’t time to panic

I’ve been inundated with messages from dad and mom nervous about strep A.

I am not stunned. On the time of writing, 15 kids have tragically died from the bacterial an infection, and a few scientists are suggesting we restart social distancing in colleges.

On the time of writing, 15 kids have tragically died from the bacterial an infection [strep A], and a few scientists are suggesting we restart social distancing in colleges (inventory photograph of mom taking her daughter’s temperature)

However I need to emphasise that extreme circumstances of strep A stay extremely uncommon. Actually, the variety of circumstances have not but surpassed what we might count on in a standard 12 months – they’re simply occurring earlier than the height of winter, after we often see them.

Consultants imagine that many of the kids who’ve change into critically sick have had a viral an infection on the similar time, in order that they’re being hit very arduous. Be reassured, the overwhelming majority of coughs, colds and fevers won’t be severe.

A telltale hazard signal, nonetheless, is a downward trajectory in an unwell youngster – they’re getting sicker and sicker, and nothing appears to assist. Then it is time to see a GP.

Thumbs-up from Professor Whitty

Dr Ellie Cannon stated Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty (pictured) advised her ‘that he reads my column and totally enjoys it. I used to be delighted to listen to that he’s a fan of our Well being part’

I used to be formally star-struck final week after I got here face-to-face with England’s Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty.

Professor Whitty, who’s an infectious ailments physician, was talking at an occasion about playing habit that I additionally attended – and it took me by full shock after I noticed him smiling at me, as if he knew who I used to be.

Later he stopped for a chat. He advised me that he reads my column and totally enjoys it. I used to be delighted to listen to that he’s a fan of our Well being part.

That is no shock, with such top-quality reporting – and our dedication to arming our readers with the perfect, most correct well being info.

So there you’ve got it – the medical pages in The Mail on Sunday are authorised by the highest physician within the land!