Doctor Dawn Harper answers all your questions
DAWN HARPER
OPERATION WORRY
Q Recently, I had a mole removed from my cheek. My doctor called me this week to tell me it was cancerous, and they want me to have a further operation to remove some extra healthy tissue. The wound is starting to heal nicely. Is it really necessary to have more surgery? It would mean a bigger scar on my face, so I’m not keen.
A This is called a ‘wide excision’. It is common practice to ensure that the cancerous lesion and a good margin of surrounding healthy tissue is removed. This procedure significantly reduces the risk of recurrence, so I would strongly encourage you to go ahead with the advised surgery.
Why can’t I eat red meat?
Q A couple of years ago, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and have been asked by my surgery to book in for a blood test and a review with the nurse. The receptionist asked me not to eat red meat for 24 hours before the test. I don’t remember being told that before and I’m curious as to why?
A As part of an annual diabetic review, your surgery will arrange several blood tests, including one to check that your kidneys are functioning well. This will measure something called creatinine, which is a normal waste product in your body. If there is a problem with your kidneys, creatinine builds up in the blood. Red meat can also temporarily increase creatinine, so it’s best avoided before this blood test.
HRT CONFUSION
Q For three years, I’ve been on HRT and doing really well on it. I was thinking of coming off it but, unfortunately, my husband was made redundant at the beginning of the year, and we are struggling financially, which has made me feel very anxious. My
