TRICKY THURSDAY

How to identify a melanoma (malignant skin cancer tumor): ABCDE

• A - Asymmetry (if the mole is amorphous)
• B - Border (irregularity, non-smooth lines)
• C - Color (variations of pigmentation)
• D - Diameter (larger than the diameter of a pencil eraser)
• E - Evolving over time

A mole with one or more of these qualities should be assessed (and perhaps a biopsy taken) by a physician. 

WOMEN’S HEALTH WEDNESDAY

You may have heard of gestational diabetes, but a new study shows that the prevalence of gestational hypothyroidism may lead to a new standard in pre-natal screenings. Quest Diagnostics labs conducted a study of over 500,000 pregnant mothers recently and discovered that 15% of them had TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels above the norm, despite the fact that they showed few clinical symptoms. Undetected hypothyroidism during pregnancy may result in miscarriage, hypertension, gestational diabetes, low birth weight and delayed cognitive development. Just like with pregnancy-related diabetes, the condition was relieved in some patients but not all. Postpartum hypothyroidism has been predicted to be a contributing factor in fatigue, depression and weight gain. Risk factors include maternal age (35+), obesity and Asian heritage. 

Source.

WOMEN’S HEALTH WEDNESDAY

The cervical cancer prevention process in three steps:

1 The Pap test/Pap smear. This is a screening for pre-cancerous and cancerous cells in the cervix. A speculum tool is used to allow a swab to collect a sample of cells for examination under a microscope. Common misconception: Pap is short for the doctor’s name who invented it (Paponikolaou), not human papilomavirus - which coincidentally can cause cancerous cell growth in the cervix. A Pap smear is performed annually in sexually active females and usually ever 5 years in post-menopausal women with no history of abnormal findings.

2 If suspicious cells are collected in the Pap, the next step is a coloscopy (not to be confused with a colonoscopy). In this procedure, a tool called a coloscope is used to illuminate and magnify the cervix and vaginal tissue (“scopy” = to look). It is usually paired with biopsy - cells are removed from cancerous or pre-cancerous lesions for further evaluation. A coloscope is also used to examine and collect evidence from rape victims. 

3 If it is determined that cervical dysplagia is evident, a LEEP procedure is performed (loop electrosurgical excision procedure). It is performed within an office and requires local or general anesthesia. The tool used simultaneously cuts and cauterizes the tissue as lesions are removed. 

WOMEN’S HEALTH WEDNESDAYS

Osteoporosis is a condition where the bones are brittle and weak and are therefore prone to fractures. It is usually seen in women but may afflict men as well. Although it is commonly found in elderly populations, there are four things you can do at any age in an effort to prevent osteoporosis from occurring.

1 Adequate amount of calcium in the diet: 1,000 mg/day in ages 18 – 51. Calcium can be found in foods such as dairy products, soy products, spinach, almonds, salmon, kale or broccoli.

2 Adequate amount of Vitamin D: 400 – 1,000 IUs/day in adults. This vitamin can be found in foods such as fish or egg yolks, but is usually obtained from sun exposure.

3 Exercise: both strength training and weight bearing.

4 Lifestyle: both smoking and excessive drinking can contribute to bone loss.

WOMEN’S HEALTH WEDNESDAY

In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness month, here’s instructions on how to perform a breast self-examination (or BSE) - another important patient education topic.