25 FAMILY MATTERS Parenting SPOTTING THE SIGNS

TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 2018

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The Press 25

FAMILY MATTERS

SPOTTING THE SIGNS Parenting

with

Lisa

Salmon

IS THIS AN

OF OVARIAN CANCER

EATING

DISORDER?

Boys develop eating disorders as well as girls. A Beat charity spokesperson explains how to spot the signs

My 15-year-old son tries to avoid eating with us, and a lot of food keeps disappearing from the fridge and cupboards, though he denies he's taking it. He's very irritable and I'm worried he has an eating disorder, although he's a normal weight. I thought it was girls who got eating disorders, not boys?

lAndrew Radford, CEO of the eating disorders charity Beat (.uk), says: "Eating disorders can affect anyone, regardless of gender or age. Stereotypically, eating disorders are seen as a `female disease' and we work hard to discourage this misunderstanding.

"Researchers suggest that at least 1.25 million people in total are affected by eating disorders in the UK, and up to 25 per cent of them might be male. Beat's helpline receives calls from across the UK from males experiencing an eating disorder, but also many calls from people calling about others they're worried about, particularly from mums worried about their sons.

"If people call our helpline on 0808 801 0677 (or 0808 801 0711 for the youthline), they'll speak to a trained support worker experienced in listening and talking to people in similar situations. Eating disorders are complex - there's no one single reason why someone develops one. Becoming obsessive about food as well as changes in moods can be the signs that a person is developing an eating disorder. Someone with an eating disorder may also experience other mental or physical health issues at the same time as their eating disorder. Sometimes these can play a role in the eating disorder developing, or they may develop alongside or because of it.

"Despite evidence showing the sooner someone gets treatment, the more likely they are to make a full and fast recovery, it takes an average of three years before someone developing eating disorder symptoms seeks treatment for their mental health illness. The best first step if you're worried about anyone you think might have an eating disorder is to encourage them to speak to their doctor as soon as they can, and to assure them they are not alone with their illness."

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Don't dismiss the idea of your son having an eating problem

ABDOMINAL bloating for more than three weeks is a symptom of ovarian cancer. Yet a recent poll showed that only a third of women were aware of this, with more participants likely to change their diet rather than seek medical advice, assuming their symptoms were due to Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

With 7,500 new cases in the UK every year, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month aims to inform women of what to look out for and when to consult a doctor.

The ovaries, each roughly the size of a walnut, sit in the lower abdomen and are connected to the uterus, also known as the womb, by the fallopian tubes. They are responsible for storing and producing a woman's eggs.

As highlighted, symptoms of ovarian cancer can be vague, with many complaints thankfully due to less sinister causes.

However, any unexplained abdominal pain or swelling should not be ignored. Feeling full earlier than usual after a meal, a change in your bladder or bowel habit and pain on intercourse may also be signs.

Vaginal bleeding after the menopause should prompt an urgent appointment with your routine doctor.

While ovarian cancer typically affects females over 50 whose periods have stopped, it does occur before this age, so women of all ages should be vigilant to changes in their body that don't feel right.

As well as increasing age, a family history of ovarian or breast cancer may put you at greater risk of the disease, particularly if you carry the

KNOW YOUR SYMPTOMS: With some 7,500 new cases in the UK every year, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month aims to inform women of what to look out for and when to consult a doctor

BRCA1 or 2 genes.

However, this applies to less than a fifth of cases. Suffering with endometriosis, where tissue lining the womb is found in other parts of the abdomen, has also been shown to play a role. Smoking and obesity raise your chances of this cancer as well as others.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, the first thing to do is to see your routine GP as soon as possible.

A physical assessment may involve a vaginal examination. A

blood marker, known as CA 125, is raised in ovarian cancer. However, it is also high in other conditions including fibroids, endometriosis and even pregnancy, and hence it has has not yet been approved as a screening tool in women without any symptoms.

If your doctor feels you may have ovarian cancer, you will be referred urgently to see a gynaecologist for scans and assessment.

The outlook for ovarian cancer, if caught early, is favourable, with

half of those diagnosed still alive five years later and over a third at ten years.

Though these figures may seem low, greater awareness of the disease will hopefully encourage more women to come forward sooner rather than later.

Though symptoms may seem bowel related, I would caution that it is very rare for any woman to newly develop Irritable Bowel Syndrome over the age of 50 and it is probably this particular group who should seek the advice of their GP at the earliest stage.

Will breastfeeding stop me falling pregnant?

Q: I have heard that if I am breast feeding, I don't need to use any contraception. My son is four six weeks old. Is this true? ? Samantha, 26

A: Breast feeding to provide contraception is known as the Lactational Amenorrhoea Method (LAM), and relies on breastfeeding delaying ovulation, or the release of an egg. However it only works if you are solely breastfeeding both day and night. It can't be relied on if you are part bottle feeding, if your periods have returned, or once your baby is more than six months old. Progesterone only contraceptives are safe in

breastfeeding mothers from birth onwards, and the combined pill from three weeks after delivery.

Q: I used to play a lot of sport and now have very painful knees. I was told that X-rays showed moderate arthritis. I don't really want an operation, but don't think I can just grin and bear it ? Geoff, 53

A: Arthritis can be very disabling, but current evidence shows continuing gentle exercise is still of benefit. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory gels and creams provide pain relief but don't have the same potential side effects as

their tablet alternatives. In terms of non-surgical treatments, many people get good results with physiotherapy, although it does rely on you continuing the strengthening exercises long term. Another option would steroid knee injections, which are usually well tolerated and can provide many months of pain control.

If after six months of the above you weren't seeing any improvement or the pain was worse, it would be worth asking your GP to refer you to an orthopaedic surgeon, unless you definitely did not want an operation at all.

If you have a question for Dr Zak, please email: askdoctorzak@

W: doctorzak.co.uk T: @AskDoctorZak

Dr Uddin's advice is provided in good faith and in accordance with currently accepted evidence. However, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

You should always seek the advice of a GP, or other qualified health provider, regarding a medical condition.

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