I have had groin pain for six months and my friend says it could be serious. Help!

Eight out of ten women in the UK do not check their breasts regularly and a third admit they never self-check for signs of breast cancer, Estée Lauder research found in 2022.

This is shocking, as two-thirds of cases are detected this way.

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I’m in my third year as an ambassador for their Breast Cancer Campaign and we’ve focused on groups who are least likely to get checked, including South Asian women, women under 40 and black women

Attending mammograms, women are invited between the ages of 50 and 71, is another way to detect breast cancer early. You can order mammograms after age 71.

Apart from a breast, breast, collarbone or armpit lump, other signs to look for and feel are: skin or nipple changes, a rash, crusting or discharge around the nipple, or changes size, shape or color of the nipple. breasts

See your GP for any changes so they can rule out cancer or detect it as soon as possible.

Here’s a selection of what readers asked this week. . .

SUBSEQUENT STATE OF THE CHILD

Q) Can you tell me something about desmin myopathy?

My 51 year old son has this condition but they are not telling us anything and I am worried. It’s horrible to see him suffer like this.

A) Desmin is a protein that helps maintain muscle structure and strength.

Think of it as a scaffold that helps hold muscle fibers together, keeping them aligned and all working properly.

Desmin myopathy (also known as myofibrillar myopathy) is a rare genetic disease that causes muscle weakness, usually in the legs first.

It can slowly spread to the body, neck, face, respiratory muscles, and sometimes the heart muscle, causing cardiomyopathy.

The severity and progression of symptoms can vary greatly between people.

Although this can be a genetic disease, it is not always inherited.

Sometimes the genetic mutation is sporadic, meaning it can arise in people with no family history of the disease.

It is very difficult to see a loved one suffer, especially with a rare disease that is not well understood: the first case of desminic myopathy was not identified until the late 1990s.

Does he have someone to attend hospital appointments with and share worries with?

Sometimes when we receive a diagnosis, we try to protect our loved ones from information that might upset them. Letting your child know that you want to know everything so you can help support them can help start some honest conversations.

Think of ways you can offer support in the meantime: cooking meals, supporting childcare, shopping or doing housework if this is relevant.

I strongly recommend that you ask your child to engage with specialist nurses or therapists who are part of their healthcare team as they can provide more detailed care and support.

Physiotherapy, mobility aids and respiratory monitoring are often used to manage this condition, and psychological support can be very helpful.

Feel free to contact patient groups or charities such as Muscular Dystrophy UK. They can offer valuable information and emotional support.

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Q) I AM a male, 67 years old, and for the past six months I have had pain in my left groin, especially when I walk or stand for a long time.

I have had four knee replacements in my right leg and just finished radiation therapy for prostate cancer. He used to be very athletic. I am still playing golf regularly.

Many friends have mentioned this as a sign of needing a hip replacement.

Do you think it could be this or could it be something else?

A) Osteoarthritis of the hip is a common cause of groin pain in men over 60 and could explain your symptoms.

For example, hip pain can sometimes get worse with walking or standing, and can even affect sleep when lying down.

Multiple knee surgeries may have changed the way you walk, putting extra stress on your hips and potentially accelerating any wear and tear on the joint.

Radiation therapy itself is not linked to osteoarthritis, but the general stress on your body from cancer treatments, such as hormone therapy, could play a role in how you recover or manage joint problems.

Mention being athletic, and a lifetime of sports that involve high speeds, pivoting, kicking, or high impact, such as football, rugby, and running, can increase your risk of hip osteoarthritis. That said, it’s important to know that staying active can help maintain joint health now.

Also, keeping your muscles strong can relieve pain.

In particular, lower impact activities such as cycling, swimming and walking can be beneficial.

Doing physical activity has many other health benefits benefitsso please keep it up.

That said, the pain may not actually be coming from the hip joint.

Other causes should be considered, such as pain referred to the spine or pelvic region, or even lingering effects of radiation therapy.

An assessment by your GP or an orthopedic specialist can help determine whether it is a hip problem or something else.

If surgery is a concern, non-surgical options such as physical therapy and pain management may help, and some lifestyle adjustments, such as weight loss, may also provide relief.

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STOPPING MEDS HAS DAMAGED MY HAIR

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Q) I used to take vitamin D and alendronic acid for osteoporosis, but after about six years, my doctor advised me to stop taking them.

After a few months, most of my hair (body and head) fell out and now my nails are so brittle. If I discuss any of my concerns with my doctors, they make me feel like a hypochondriac.

I don’t accept “old age” and my once thick, healthy, shiny hair and beautiful nails are gone.

A) I would be interested to know why you were told to stop taking your treatment.

Alendronic acid has most likely been stopped because of side effects such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, or other problems with the esophagus. It can also be stopped if kidney function falls below a certain threshold.

I assume the vitamin D is ok to continue and you should check if it is ok to restart it. Vitamin D is something we should all be supplementing with from October to March anyway, and for someone with osteoporosis, I would advise supplementing year-round.

Vitamin D deficiency can affect both hair and nail health. Iron, B12, folate, zinc and magnesium deficiency should also be ruled out. If you want further evaluation and have the funds to do so, you can see a hair and scalp specialist (trichologist).

They’ll use a special camera to look at your hair follicles and give you personalized advice on supplements, hair products and lifestyle to optimize your hair’s health.

I can understand that your GP may feel upset. It can be very difficult to give patients extra time when we are so limited if the problem comes up at the end of an appointment.

Our hair and nails change as we age, but don’t assume it’s all age-related, especially if there was a rapid change when you stopped taking the medication.