October is breast cancer awareness month. Mammograms are the best early detection. Patients over the age of 40, or patients with a family history of breast cancer should discuss the need for a mammogram with their doctor.
Breast cancer treatments can affect the foot and leg. Many of the chemotherapy drugs can cause numbness, burning as well as a pins and needle sensation to the leg. Chemotherapy drugs will attack the nerves and can even cause neuropathy.
Fortunately, you do not have to live with this pain. There are many drugs on the market like Neurontin, Lyrica and Cymbalta which can be used to combat the neuropathy symptoms and alleviate that pain. The symptoms of neuropathy may improve once the chemotherapy drugs are stopped.
Anodyne treatment is another option for neuropathy. This is a treatment that does not require any oral medication. Anodyne uses infrared light to stimulate the nerves and help to dissipate the neuropathy symptoms.
If you have neuropathy symptoms, you should be checking your feet every day. The symptoms can deaden the nerves and you may not notice a cut or bruise on your foot. If this occurs, you should see your podiatrist immediately.
Breast Cancer is something that can affect young and old and early detection is key. There are many options to treat the side effects of the medication. Stop in to see your podiatrist to discuss your foot related concerns secondary to the medications.
Dr. Crystal Gonzalez was born in New York City and raised in Westchester County New York. She completed extensive reconstructive surgical training in trauma of the foot and ankle during her AO fellowship at the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus in Dresden, Germany. Dr. Gonzalez attended the New York College of Podiatric Medicine and completed her residency at Chestnut Hill Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York.
Dr. Gonzalez’s areas of expertise are wound care with a background in diabetic foot care, diabetic education, peripheral vascular disease and peripheral arterial disease. She also treated patients at the University of Pennsylvania Sports Medicine Clinic treating the athletes of the school with a special focus on running and the athletes of cross country and track and field. She has worked at the Penn relays for the three years.
Dr. Gonzalez is excited about serving Allentown and the Lehigh Valley communities. She is the only bilingual doctor in the practice, fluent in both Spanish and English. She looks forward to meeting the needs of her community.
