Valium / Diazepam News Blog

I can only answer this from the point of view of a doctor who has been trained in standard western medicine. If your mum has a suspicious mass like a breast lump, when all other benign causes including cysts, calcium deposits and infection, are unlikely, then a biopsy is the only definitive way to determine the true nature of the lump and to find out whether it is cancerous or not.

Fortunately most breast lumps are not cancer, but fluid-filled sacs or fibrous material.

If there is also a new lump found in the axilla, the under-arm region, then this could be a strong indication there is cancer present. Cancerous lumps are usually painless and very hard with irregular borders. All lumps should be examined by a doctor without delay so that further investigations, like mammography, ultrasound and biopsy can be done as soon as possible.

You should talk to your mum about receiving a "second opinion" from her own doctor who will respect her views. She can still make her own choice about which route she wishes to take.

Clinical research has shown that treatment of breast cancer with radiation, immunotherapy and chemotherapy offer the best prospect of long-term survival.

Complementary therapies are becoming more popular and when used in conjunction with traditional western medicine help to relieve stress and to continue with a more positive attitude.

My cousin's baby was born with a cleft lip. Can you tell me what causes cleft lip and palate?

In the early stages of pregnancy, the upper lip and the palate grow from the tissues on either side of the mouth. Gradually, they come together and join in the middle. If, however, the tissues which will form the lip fail to join together, a gap will be left just below the nostril.

This is usually seen on one side only, which is called a unilateral cleft lip, but more rarely there can be a gap on both sides causing bilateral cleft lip. When the palate fails to join, there is a gap between the roof of the mouth and the nose.

What causes cleft lip and cleft palate is unknown, but there may be genetic factors because it seems to run in families. Some drugs - anticonvulsants including phenytoin and sodium valproate, benzodiazepines like diazepam (valium) and high-dose steroids - increase the risk of developing cleft lip and palate deformities.

In the UK, one in 700 babies are born with a cleft lip or palate and are immediately referred to the specialist units which deal with it.

For more information contact Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA), 020 7431 0033. You could also visit the website at www.clapa.com which provides a clear explanation of the condition. It also has information on feeding and a useful frequently asked questions page.

I'm a university student with exams approaching and find if I want to study late into the night (or anything else for that matter) I can't stay awake. Coffee doesn't work, though my friends swear by it. I've even tried caffeine tablets but they don't work either. What can I do?

As a student, there are many conflicting demands on your time. You've too many activities and too few hours to fit them all in, leaving time for sleep squeezed down. There's no absolute daily requirement for sleep, but the typical student between 18 and 25 needs between six and 10 hours. You need to use your own body as a guide as to how much sleep you need, not someone else's behaviour.

Caffeine is a stimulant which is safe in small doses, but if you're already drinking around 10 cups of coffee a day, you're reaching dangerous levels. The side-effects of too much caffeine are insomnia and anxiety while withdrawal can cause headaches, irritability and tiredness. I would advise you to adjust your activities to accommodate your studying needs and avoid the caffeine route to increase alertness because, as you're finding out, it doesn't really work.

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