Dr Chris Steele, resident health expert on ITV's This Morning, answers viewers questions on men's health issues.

Dr Chris answers questions on men's health.

Ellie - Merseyside.
Q. My husband (38) has lumps in his groin. They started small but are now the size of golf balls. He's feeling sick and has aching limbs. He's had liver tests and test for virus infections which came back clear. Can you help?

A.These lumps may well be swollen 'glands' and he must have this investigated further. The 'glands' are lymph nodes, which swell as a result of infection, inflammation or cancer! A common example of enlarged lymph nodes is a throat infection which often causes swollen glands in the neck. So has he had any infection or inflammation in his leg or foot?

I'm concerned that he may have one of these conditions - Leukaemia, Lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease or a malignant tumour (cancer) near these glands, especially because of his other symptoms, feeling ill and limb pain. He must go back to his GP, as soon as possible. Do let me know how he get's on.

Stephanie - Oxfordshire.
Q.My 7yr old son has pain when passing water. His penis does not seem to have grown for 3 yrs and there is white stuff coming out of it. Also there doesn't seem to be a 'hole' at the end of it. He won't let the doctor see it!

A. You're going to have to drag him to the doctor, because this needs attention. From what you describe, I think he probably has Balanitis, which is inflammation of the end of the penis (known as the Glans Penis - the bulbous tip of the penis). This is probably caused by him having a foreskin that has not been pulled back, or retracted. Normally the foreskin can't be pulled back until after 1yr, and if it can't be retracted by teenage years then a circumcision may have to be performed. Because the foreskin can't be pulled back, there has been an accumulation of a substance called 'smegma' - the white stuff you mention. 'Smegma' is a normal secretion that occurs under the foreskin, but it's obviously built up over the years and is now causing problems. Many single mums won't be aware of this, and therefore wouldn't think of gradually getting the foreskin to retract, so that it can be cleaned to prevent the build-up of smegma.

When you say you can't see a hole, its because he has a tight foreskin (called phimosis), and of course that's been the major cause of his problems. He does have a hole at the end, but it's obviously very small, and sometimes this can cause problems with passsing urine, with the foreskin ballooning up in size as the flow of urine is restricted. This may be why he has pain on weeing, and of course the end of his penis may sting because of the inflammation (balanitis) at the end of the penis. He'll probably have to have a circumcision, which will cure the problems, and it's better to have that done now, rather than later. Don't worry about his penis size!

This is a rather lengthy reply because your question raises an important issue - penile health, foreskin retraction etc which many single mums may not be aware of. So if you've got a little boy, after the age of 12 months, try to slowly retract the foreskin, whilst he's in the bath, and do it gradually if, at first, it seems uncomfortable. Once the foreskin can be easily pulled back, always wash the area when he has a bath.

Sarah - Staffordshire.
Q.When my husband and I have sexaul intercourse his foreskin splits and bleeds, no matter how much lubricant is used. This becomes so painful for him at times that sex is off the menu for weeks, and then it happens again.

A.He's probably too embarrassed to see his GP, but he's going to have report this probelm. He most likely has a tight foreskin, which during intercourse is being stretched and and then splitting - this can be very painful. The ultimate solution is a circumcision but initially a referral to a specialist is needed.

John - Middlesex.

Q.I have a large mole on my scrotum which protrudes from the skin. I was just wondering if I should go and get it checked - will it increase my chances of getting skin cancer?

A.If this mole has been growing in size or shape or has been itchy or bled then you must see your GP, as these are signs that a mole might be turning malignant (cancerous). Neverthless, I still think it's worthwhile getting your doctor to have a look at it, and if he's unsure he may get you a second opinion. People think that skin cancer can only appear in places frequently exposed to sunlight, but this not always the case. Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer can occur in places 'where the sun never shines' even on the soles of the feet.


This content was created on Thu 13 September 2007

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