The Doc Replies

I have been diagnosed with stage 1 cancer. What do the various stages of cancer mean?

The stages usually refer to how far a cancer has spread and what size it is. When doctors first diagnose a cancer they carry out tests to check how big it is and whether it has spread into surrounding tissues. Staging is important as it helps doctors know which treatments you need. There are two main types of staging systems for cancer. These are the TNM system and the number system. Your doctor can give you further details.

I’m a 46-year-old man. Is there anything I should be doing to improve my fertility?

Smoking and drinking excess alcohol can reduce your fertility. Keep within your alcohol limit of 14 units per week. Otherwise, eating a healthy diet and doing regular exercise can be beneficial.

Is fruit juice better for children than a diet fizzy drink?

Both fruit juice and diet fizzy drinks can be damaging to tooth enamel. I recommend children only drink juice when they are eating their main meals, and drink water in between. Fruit juice is generally more healthy than diet fizzy drinks.

I’m a 14-year-old girl and wonder what a safe amount of calories for me to lose weight would be.

Rather than restricting calories I would recommend a healthy, balanced diet with at least five portions of fruit and veg per day. Meals based on starchy foods such as potatoes, bread, pasta and rice. Some milk and dairy options and foods that are a good source of protein such as meat, fish, eggs, beans and lentils.