Whelehans Health News

This is a continuation of my article in last week’s Westmeath Examiner.

 Late effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy

Some women experience dry cough, breathlessness, and chest pain for the first few months after completing radiation therapy (usually for the first three months) because radiation therapy can cause swelling and fibrosis (thickening and hardening) in the lungs. These symptoms ease with time. Post cancer fatigue is common.

Women who had a chemotherapy drug called trastuzumab or a type of chemotherapy called anthracyclines have an increased risk of developing heart problems so heart checks are important after surgery for these women. Women who have had a form of breast cancer that is called “oestrogen receptor positive” breast cancer are often prescribed anti-oestrogen drugs such as tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors such as anastrozole or letrozole in the years after the initial cancer treatment as they reduce risk of the cancer returning. Women taking tamoxifen should undergo annual pelvic exams as tamoxifen can increase the risk of developing uterine cancer. It is important for women prescribed tamoxifen to be vigilant for signs of uterine cancer including abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, pelvic pain or pressure or other new symptoms. Women, who are taking an aromatase inhibitor, such as anastrozole (Arimidex^®), or letrozole (Femara^®), should have a bone density check before starting the drug and then on a regular basis from then on, as they can cause osteoporosis as they can reduce bone density.

Despite the relief of cancer recovery there can be a feeling of “what now”? Especially as the previous period of your life was dominated by hospital appointments, surgery and the routine around chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. Many people find they miss the security of regular hospital checks and the support from the cancer care staff.

The consultant, cancer care nurses, your GP and your pharmacist can help you with a plan for follow up care. Recommendations include regular physical examinations, blood tests and mammograms. Breast cancer can return in the breast or other parts of the body and those with previous cancer are at more risk of developing cancer. Symptoms of cancer recurrence to be vigilant for include a new lump in the breast, under the arms, or along the chest wall; bone pain, bone fractures; headaches, seizures; chronic coughing or breathing issues; severe fatigue; and nausea or vomiting. There is a lifetime risk of reoccurrence after the first episode of breast cancer. Even if the breast cancer was 20 years ago, you are still at increased risk of reoccurrence; therefore regular screenings in the years following cancer are important. Regular check-ups mean risk of cancer reoccurrence goes down.

For comprehensive and free health advice and information call in to Whelehans, click on www.whelehans.ie or dial 04493 34591. E-mail queries to info@whelehans.ie.

Eamonn Brady is a pharmacist and the owner of Whelehans Pharmacy, Pearse St, Mullingar. If you have any health questions e-mail them to info@whelehans.ie

A cough is a reflex action to clear the throat of any foreign bodies or particles, such as dust.  But when you get a cold, the infected mucus from your nose drips down the back of your throat in a process called post-nasal drip.  This post-nasal drip causes a type of cough that is not helpful at all. Essentially there are two types of cough, a DRY or a CHESTY cough.  Chesty coughs occur when mucus (also called phlegm or catarrh) builds up in the airways and the cough occurs so your body can clear the mucus. 

Chesty cough mixtures such as Viscolex^® contain an expectorant which liquefy the catarrh so it can be coughed up easier.  There are other chesty cough mixtures that cause drowsiness which can be used at night to help you sleep.  Sugar free versions of cough mixtures such as Exputex^® are available for diabetics. 

Migraine Action Week takes place form September 12^th to 19^th. Whelehans Pharmacy in association with Migraine Association of Ireland hosted a major Migraine Information event in Mullingar in June. As a result of this event (which had over 120 people attend), we have been asked in the pharmacy many times what were the main “learning points”. Due to Migraine Action Week I decided to revisit Migraine in the Examiner with some information on the Migraine Association of Ireland and next week I will discuss some of the points we learned back in June. I discussed Migraine I more detail in the Westmeath Examiner back in June; ask in Whelehans or check www.whelehans.ie or a detailed and free information article on migraine.

What is the Migraine Association of Ireland?

Migraine Association of Ireland is a registered charity that is a membership-based organisation consisting of people living with migraine or other headache disorders and members of their family and friends.