Cancer

Answers for your specific questions.

Wondering about your health? Confused by what you’ve read? Browse our Ask the Nurse answer archive to find answers to many women's health questions and concerns. All answers are from a Cleveland Clinic women's health nurse.

Ask the Nurse Archive

Does yogurt or bottled water cause cancer?

October 1, 2018 at 2:47pm

Someone told me eating yogurt and drinking bottled water causes cancer, is this true?

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Is Vaginal DHEA Safe To Take If I Have Breast Cancer?

September 1, 2018 at 6:00am

I have stage IV breast cancer and take an Aromatase Inhibitor (Letrozole) as part of my treatment. I have severe vaginal dryness and atrophy, continuous UTIs and pain in the urogenital area. I recently read an article saying "Intrarosa 0.5% DHEA nightly vaginal suppository contains NO estrogen and is safe to use in women who have to avoid estrogen." None of my doctors agree that Intrarosa would be safe for me to use because of my ER/PR+ cancer. They claim that DHEA turns into estrogen, so I should not take it.

One gynecologist did suggest the possibility of me using Intrarosa (vaginal DHEA) when my regular gynecologist was out. What are your thoughts?

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Breast Masses

May 17, 2017 at 3:12pm

I went to my doctor who told me I have a mass on my breast. How can I get the mass to go away, are there pills for it?

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Paget's disease of the breast

April 3, 2017 at 4:12pm

It looks like I have Paget’s disease around my nipple. It hurts. What should I do?

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Vaginal Atrophy and Breast Cancer

January 13, 2016 at 5:34pm

In 2004, I had a mastectomy of the right breast and lumpectomy of the left breast, removal of 9 lymph nodes under my right arm (4 were positive and cancer had gotten into the chest wall a little). I also had chemo & radiation, Herceptin once a week for a year, Tamoxifen for 5 years and I am working on finishing 5 years of Femara.

My cancer was the type that is so-called “estrogen positive”. Now I have vaginal atrophy and since I can’t take systemic estrogen my GYN physician told me there is nothing I can do except use KY-jelly or a similar item for my discomfort, but nothing was going to help it get better.

I’m 55 years old and this is very depressing news. The vaginal atrophy is very uncomfortable. Is their anything that I can do? I have a family history of breast cancer on both parents sides, and my mother had breast and ovarian cancer when she passed away.

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Breast Cancer and Hormone Therapy Treatment

April 29, 2015 at 10:10am

I just had a double mastectomy for stage 2 ductal cancer. It was hormone receptor positive. They told me I could not continue my Prempro, which I was using for hot flashes and insomnia. Since then, I have started Arimidex and have been in misery. My physician said I could consider stopping Arimidex if I wanted to restart hormone therapy because I feel so miserable. I would appreciate your thoughts and opinion on this matter. Thank you.

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Breast Cancer Risk

September 15, 2014 at 9:07pm

My mom was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, but she only had to do radiation. Is this something I should be concerned about?

Also, is a physician or midwife right for me? How do I know? My husband and I just got married and want to try to start a family soon.

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Family History of Breast and Ovarian Cancer

September 11, 2014 at 6:18am

I am 63 years old with a history of breast cancer. I am in remission after a bone marrow transplant in 1991.

My sister died of ovarian cancer three years ago. I have not been sexually active in 14 years. Do I need to be screened for ovarian cancer, and if so, what doctor can I see?

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Colon Cancer Treatment Information

September 9, 2014 at 4:24pm

Where can I obtain the latest information on colon cancer treatment?

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Endometrial Cancer Protection

August 28, 2014 at 8:00am

Do women need to use progesterone for endometrial protection with an intact uterus when using even a small dose of transdermal estrogen (such as vivelle dot)?

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