Tuesday, 26 August 2014

How do I install multiple versions of Firefox on my computer for use with CommonSpot?

The recommended version of Firefox to be used with CommonSpot, the university’s web content management system, is Firefox 3.6.  However, you can still keep the most up-to-date version of Firefox installed on your computer for normal daily use.  Here’s how:

Instructions for Windows


Instructions for OS X


Windows
1.  Download and install your first version of Firefox (if you haven’t already).  If you already have a version of Firefox installed, you may skip this step.

    a.  Firefox 3.6 for CommonSpot  (Click on Windows Software for Faculty/Staff Only)
    b.  Firefox (Current Version)

2.  Now that you have your first version installed, download the second version of Firefox:

    a.  Firefox 3.6 for CommonSpot  (Click on Windows Software for Faculty/Staff Only)
    b.  Firefox (Current Version)
3.  When installing your second version of Firefox, choose the custom setup option.


4.  When asked where you’d like to install your second version of Firefox, add a word to the Mozilla Firefox directory (Firefox-New or Firefox-CommonSpot) to differentiate it from the other version you have installed.  You can find the directory in the text that begins with C:\.


5.  Proceed by clicking Next on all of the screens that follow.

6.  If you’d like, you can place the Firefox icon on your desktop and then rename the icon to differentiate between the two versions of Firefox.

    a.  Right click on the icon
    b.  Select Rename
    c.  Enter your new name (such as Firefox 3.6 for CommonSpot)
    d.  Press Enter.  You may have to click Continue.

You’re now free to use either version of Firefox, depending on your needs.  Remember, you can have two versions of Firefox installed, but you may only run one at a time.  Be sure to completely exit one version of Firefox before starting up the other one.



Be sure to disable automatic updating on Firefox 3.6.




Mac OS X


1.  Download and drag to your Applications folder your first version of Firefox (if you haven’t already).  If you already have a version of Firefox installed, you may skip this step.

    a.  Firefox 3.6 for CommonSpot (Click on Mac Software for Faculty/Staff Only)
    b.  Firefox (Current Version)
2.  Now that you have your first version installed, download the second version of Firefox:

    a.  Firefox 3.6 for CommonSpot (Click on Mac Software for Faculty/Staff Only)
    b.  Firefox (Current Version)

3.  Open your download if it hasn’t automatically opened.  You’ll see a screen instructing you to drag Firefox to your Applications folder.  Instead, drag the Firefox icon onto your desktop.


4.  Once the icon is on your desktop, click once to highlight it.  Now, click once on the word “Firefox”.  You will now be able to edit the file name.  Add on to the name by typing “Firefox New” or “Firefox for CommonSpot” and then press enter.


5.  Drag your newly renamed icon to your Applications folder.  You can access your Applications folder from the desktop by going to the Go menu and choosing Applications


6.  You can launch Firefox from your Applications folder by double-clicking the icon, or you can drag your new icon to your dock for easier access.

You’re now free to use either version of Firefox, depending on your needs.   Remember, you can have two versions of Firefox installed, but you may only run one at a time.  Be sure to completely exit one version of Firefox before starting up the other one.

Be sure to disable automatic updating on Firefox 3.6.

Monday, 25 August 2014

Endometrial Cancer: Curable if Detected Early


 
  Source: By Anjana Motihar Chandra for Health Xchange, with expert input from the KK Gynaecological Cancer Centre, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), a member of the SingHealth group.  
     
  Although the exact cause of endometrial cancer remains unknown, the condition is highly curable if detected early.
Women who are obese are at greater risk of developing endometrial cancer, a type of cancer of the uterus that is highly curable if detected early. Diabetes and hypertension are other lifestyle-related conditions that increase a woman’s risk of endometrial cancer, the fourth most common cancer among women in Singapore.
The uterus has two layers: an outer lining of muscle and an inner lining called endometrium which thickens and sheds during a woman’s menstrual cycle. Endometrial cancer, also known as uterine cancer or womb cancer, affects the inner lining of the uterus. 
Another type of uterine cancer is uterine sarcoma, which affects the outer lining and is less common.
“Excess fat, which alters the body’s balance of hormones, increases a woman’s risk of getting uterine cancer,” says Dr Wong Wai Loong, Associate Consultant, KK Gynaecological Cancer Centre, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), a member of the SingHealth group.

Causes and risk factors for endometrial cancer

While the exact cause of endometrial cancer is unknown, a high level of oestrogen has been found to play a role in its development. There are many risk factors, in addition to obesity, diabetes and hypertension, associated with this cancer. These other risk factors include:
  • Early menstruation – before the age of 12
  • Irregular and infrequent periods – less than 4 periods in a year
  • Late menopause
  • Nulliparity – never been pregnant
  • Oestrogen-only replacement therapy (ERT)
  • Hormone therapy drug tamoxifen for breast cancer
  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome (POS)
  • Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) or a family history of HNPCC
  • Ovarian tumours, e.g. granulosa cell tumours that secrete oestrogen
Endometrial cancer is the most common type of female reproductive cancer in Singapore. According to the Singapore Cancer Registry, 1,778 cases of endometrial cancer were diagnosed here between the years 2008-2012. Its incidence is the highest among women aged 50-59.
“Endometrial cancer can occur at any age, but 70 per cent of the time, it occurs after the age of 50,” says Dr Wong. “Factors such as a high fat diet and more women not having children are responsible for an increase in the number of cases worldwide.”

Endometrial cancer symptoms

Endometrial cancer symptoms include the following:
  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding – this can be of different types such as:
    • Post-menopausal bleeding
    • Frequent vaginal bleeding in the period leading up to menopause
    • Irregular menstrual bleeding
    • Spotting or bleeding between periods
    • Prolonged periods
    • Blood-tinged, watery discharge from the vagina
  • Bleeding after intercourse
  • Abdominal swelling or bloating (swollen tummy)
  • Pelvic pain
  • Pain during intercourse
  • Change in bowel or urinary habits
  • Unexplained weight loss
Most cases of endometrial cancer present early with abnormal vaginal bleeding. Post-menopausal bleeding is the most common symptom,” says Dr Wong. “Abdominal swelling and change in bowel and urinary habits are late endometrial cancer symptoms.”
Any woman who suffers from abnormal vaginal bleeding should seek medical attention immediately.

Diagnosis of endometrial cancer

A biopsy, or taking of a small sample of endometrium tissue, is required to diagnose endometrial cancer. This can be carried out as an outpatient procedure, e.g. hysteroscopy, or as a minor day surgical procedure.
Dilatation and curettage (D&C) is the term for a surgical procedure used to remove a tissue sample from the endometrium for testing.
A transvaginal ultrasound may also be carried out to detect any abnormalities, such as thickening of the endometrium.
“The prognosis of endometrial cancer is good if it is diagnosed early,” says Dr Wong.
Read on to learn about endometrial cancer treatment and prevention.
Page 1 | Page 2
Article contributed by the KK Gynaecological Cancer Centre at:
KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH)

Chronic Pelvic Pain: Causes


 
  Source: Article contributed by Dr Cherylin Fu, Consultant, Department of Colorectal Surgery and Dr Mark Wong, Consultant, Department of Colorectal Surgery & Director, Pelvic Floor Disorders Service (PFDS), Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the SingHealth group.  
     
  Pelvic pain or pain that occurs below the belly button is a common problem that affects up to 1 in 5 women.
Pelvic pain is a common disabling problem that affects up to 1 in 5 women and is the commonest cause of days off work in women of reproductive age. In the United States, chronic pelvic pain in women aged 18 to 50 years accounts for direct medical costs of approximately $881.5 million per year.
Chronic pelvic pain is pain that occurs below the navel, lasts for at least six months and may not be related to menstrual periods. Unfortunately, the cause of chronic pelvic pain is often difficult to diagnose as many different conditions involving the uterus, ovaries, bladder, bowel or pelvic floor muscles and nerves can cause this problem.
Many patients may also have associated problems such as depression, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction. 
Hence, it is important that a multidisciplinary approach is used to deal with chronic pelvic pain.

Causes of chronic pelvic pain

A wide variety of conditions can cause chronic pelvic pain. Some of the more common causes include:

Gynaecologic causes

Chronic pelvic pain is thought to be caused by gynaecologic issues in about 20 percent of women.
Endometriosis - One of the most common gynaecologic causes is endometriosis, a condition where the tissue normally lining the inside of the uterus can also be found outside of the uterus. Women with this condition may experience severe menstrual cramps or pain since their early teens or twenties, painful intercourse or difficulty getting pregnant.
Pelvic inflammatory disease - This acute infection is usually sexually transmitted. It can affect the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. About a third of women suffer from complications which may cause chronic pelvic pain.
Pelvic adhesions - Adhesions is the term for abnormal tissue that makes internal organs or structures, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes, stick to one another. Surgery, infection, or inflammation can lead to the development of such abnormal tissue. Whether adhesions cause pelvic pain and whether surgery for pelvic adhesions actually relieves pelvic pain for most women remain controversial.

Urological causes

Painful bladder syndrome and interstitial cystitis - Painful bladder syndrome (PBS) and interstitial cystitis (IC) are terms used to describe bladder pain not caused by infection. Typical symptoms include the need to urinate frequently or urgently.

Gastrointestinal causes

Irritable bowel syndrome - Irritable bowel syndrome is a gastrointestinal condition characterised by chronic abdominal pain, cramps, bloating and altered bowel habits (such as loose stools, more frequent bowel movements with onset of pain, and pain relieved by defecation) in the absence of any specific cause.

Musculoskeletal causes

Levator ani syndrome, proctalgia fugax (anorectal pain) and coccygodynia (pain at the coccyx) - These are examples of “functional” pelvic floor disorders that cause chronic pelvic pain. Patients may experience recurrent episodes of pain in the region of the pelvis, rectus, anus or tailbone, which may occur suddenly at night, lasting for more than 20 minutes before disappearing.
The cause is unknown, but thought to be related to abnormal tightening or overactivity of the pelvic floor muscles. During examination, the doctor may feel the pelvic floor muscles through the rectum or vagina as a tight band that is tender when pressing on it.
Pudendal nerve entrapment (Alcock’s canal syndrome) - The pudendal nerve is responsible for sensation around the anus, the base of the scrotum (in males) and vagina (in females). Rarely, it may get compressed, resulting in pain, numbness or burning sensation around the perineum on one side. These symptoms may occur in the sitting position and worsen with bicycle riding. Treatment involves injection of local anaesthetic or steroids.
Read on to learn about tests and treatment for chronic pelvic pain.
Page 1 | Page 2
Article contributed by:
Dr Cherylin FuConsultant
Dept of Colorectal Surgery
Dr Mark WongConsultant
Dept of Colorectal Surgery
Director
Pelvic Floor Disorders Service
Singapore General Hospital (SGH)