When I went for uterus examination, why did the nurse question about cancer medication?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am a 50 year old female. My symptoms are blood and urine discharge after menopause, severe lower back pain and hemorrhoid. These symptoms have been happening for weeks now. Also, recently I had problems with my kidneys, but it is good now. I went for uterus examination today, and the nurse asked me if I had taken any cancer medication in the past, specifically, Arsenic trioxide. I got immediately worried as I did not see the correlation between my examination and cancer. Is there any medical reason for her question?

Answered by Dr. Sagar Ramesh Makode

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Arsenic trioxide is a drug used for blood cancer. It has a common side effect of vaginal bleeding. Thenurse might just want to rule out that as a cause. Also, postmenopausal bleeding has multiple causes like polyps, endometrial hyperplasia, etc., and one of them is cancer as well. So, for the sake of completion of history also one will ask history of points which will be suggestive of cancer. Also, you mentioned that you underwent for investigation so that it will make the chance of cancer less. Still, you should get examined and investigated by a gynecologist for the cause.

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Answered by Dr. Sagar Ramesh Makode

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team

February 27, 2017

September 11, 2023

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sagar Ramesh Makode