Boardash: Women for Tuesday November 17, 2009

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Women
For You
Tuesday November 17, 2009

Health and Beauty Tip -- What Causes Bad Breath?
Post breast cancer treatment pain common
Annie's Mailbox
Quote of the Day
New Healthy Life Daily Videos

Health and Beauty Tip -- What Causes Bad Breath?

You already know you need to brush, floss, and yes, even brush your tongue. But antihistamines, nasal sprays, and even antidepressants, all of which dry out your mouth, can give you bad breath, too.

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Post breast cancer treatment pain common

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (UPI) -- Almost 50 percent of women with breast cancer reported pain two to three years after treatment, researchers in Denmark said.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found younger women who had received supplemental radiation therapy were the more likely to have pain.

Dr. Rune Gartner of the University of Copenhagen and colleagues questioned 3,754 women ages 18-70 about pain after an average of 26 months after surgery for breast cancer and found 1,543 patients reported pain in one or more areas.

Of these, 13 percent reported severe pain, 39 percent reported moderate pain and 48 percent reported light pain. Adjuvant radiation therapy or axillary lymph node dissection -- rather than sentinel lymph node dissection -- were among factors associated with an increased likelihood of pain, the study also found.

"There was a significant association of age on reporting pain, where young age was associated with higher risk, especially for patients receiving breast-conserving surgery, the risk being highest for those women ages 18-39 receiving breast-conserving surgery compared with women ages 60-69," the study authors said in a statement.

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Annie's Mailbox

Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar

Dear Annie: How can a 62-year-old woman be so confused at this stage of life? My domestic partner and I have been together 12 years, and our relationship has recently become shaky.

"Jack" is very outgoing. Men and women are attracted to him for his conversation and wit. One of our neighbors is almost 10 years younger than I am and is showing an interest in him. She often pops into our home for a visit -- but only to see Jack. She does not talk to me at all.

Jack and I have always trusted each other, but I didn't care for this budding friendship. A gut feeling told me to look at his e-mail, and I found one message where he invited her to our home, saying "we" love her company. I certainly don't love it.

I told Jack I read his e-mail and asked why he invited her. He said, "It was stupid." Not the most reassuring answer. Do you think he wants to be involved with her? -- Unsure and Worried

Dear Unsure: We think he likes the attention, but it doesn't mean things will go any further. Some men are highly susceptible to flattery, and women who flirt with them feed their ego. Talk to Jack and ask him to stop encouraging this woman. Then, instead of being insecure about his fidelity, use this as an impetus to kick some fresh life into your relationship. There's no reason you can't flirt with Jack and give him a little extra affection. All relationships benefit when one remembers how to make the other person feel important.

Dear Annie: A woman I know works at my former doctor's clinic in a low-level position. A friend recently told me this woman repeats everything that is in the medical records. It's true, because family and friends have commented about my "confidential" health issues, some of which date back 40 years.

Even though I complained to my doctor about "Gossip Girl's" breaches of confidentiality, she is still working in the clinic and still ruining lives by blabbing about everyone. Since then, I have changed clinics. But why would a clinic not protect the medical confidentiality of their patients? -- Cannot Take Back the Spoken Word

Dear Cannot: Maybe the woman is well-connected or your complaints didn't go far enough up the chain of command. But that clinic is leaving itself open to a lawsuit if the blabbermouth keeps leaking confidential medical information. Make sure the doctor knows exactly why you left. You also can file a complaint with your state licensing board. (You can find a list through the American Medical Association at ama-assn.org.)

Dear Annie: "Depressed and Overwhelmed" is in one of those Catch-22 situations -- depressed, isolated, struggling to maintain a career at a time when employers look for any excuse to fire someone older. She's not making enough money to pay for top-notch mental health care, but too much to qualify for free care.

She may also have some other conditions that are contributing to her depression. For instance, I found out late in life that I have adult ADHD. Once that was treated, my intermittent depression became far easier to deal with. Other medical conditions such as low thyroid or chronic fatigue can also contribute to depression.

Cognitive behavioral therapy can be effective, and it can be administered in a group setting that significantly reduces the cost. She should also actively deal with her isolation by doing volunteer work and getting involved in community activities. She may have to drag herself to these things, but it's well worth it. -- Been There, Done That, Got the T-shirt

Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, P.O. Box 118190, Chicago, IL 60611. To find out more about Annie's Mailbox, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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Quote of the Day

Barbara Grizzuti Harrison

I refuse to believe that trading recipes is silly. Tunafish casserole is at least as real as corporate stock.

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New Healthy Life Daily Videos

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