Spotting diseases and curing them
Katrien Dehaeck is a doctor who specialised in gynaecology and obstetrics, with an additional focus on gynaecological cancer and white spot disease. She tells Margaret Harris she likes the detective work involved in making a diagnosis
What does your job entail? I consult some days and see women with gynaecological problems. On other days I do surgery, which is sometimes quite long and difficult. On some days, I go to Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town to teach students, doctors and gynaecologists on ward rounds. I also teach them about, and assist with, surgery. What is Lichen sclerosus? It's a long-term inflammatory skin problem that mostly affects the genital and anal areas of the body, although it can sometimes affect other parts. Lichen sclerosus is a very uncomfortable disease that is often misdiagnosed for years as thrush or a yeast infection. It starts with small white spots appearing on the skin, and these spots become bigger patches of inflamed, thin and wrinkled skin. The skin tears easily, and bright purply-red bruises are common. The skin can also become scarred and causes itching genitals and bum, bleeding, blisters and pain. In severe cases, women may experience pain when urinating or sitting for e...
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