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Objectives: Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women worldwide and it accounts for 27% of all cancer cases among women in India. This study aims to assess the awareness of the patients regarding the breast cancer and also to check their knowledge toward the symptoms of breast cancer as well as the breast self-examination process. This study also determines the attitude of patients regarding the breast cancer and breast self-examination. Methods: A prospective educational study was done using a pre-designed questionnaire on 523 patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital for a period of 6 months. All women greater than 20 years admitted in the Department of General Medicine and General Surgery in-patient female ward of SVRRGGH were included in the study. Results: Out of 523 women, a greater proportion respondents 515 (98%) had poor knowledge of breast cancer. Two hundred and eighty-one (53%) show positive attitude while 225 (43%) show neutral attitude and 17 (4%) show negative attitude toward breast cancer. Only 18 (0.3%) know how to perform breast self-examination while the remaining patients have never performed the breast self-examination. Two hundred and one (38%) have agreed to consult a doctor if they found any lumps in the breast whereas the remaining did not respond. After the counseling session with patients, their knowledge regarding the above problems related to breast cancer has significantly increased. Conclusion: Majority of the participants had poor knowledge of breast cancer as well as low level of practice of breast cancer screening procedures. However, patients do have a positive attitude toward the breast cancer which can help to detect the cancer in early stages. Hence, a greater focus on providing breast cancer education programs can create awareness among women in respect to screening programs which, in turn, can decrease the risk of death due to its late discovery.

Xerostomia is a common but frequently overlooked condition that is typically associated with salivary gland hypofunction. It is one of the many side effects of some antihistamines, decongestants, and muscle relaxants. Incidence of xerostomia is higher among elderly patients particularly among those with kidney diseases. We present a case report of a 85-year-old female patient who suffered from metronidazole-induced xerostomia during her hospital stay.

Mycetoma is a chronic infectious disease of the subcutaneous tissue. It is new designated by World Health Organization (WH0) which is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions. 1 Mycetoma can be caused by a large variety of microorganisms. The infection caused by tramautic inoculation of a (Eumycetoma) Fungi or a (Actinomycetoma) bacterium. 2 It is a disorder of subcutaneous tissue, skin and bones, mainly of feet, characterized by a traid of localized swelling underlying sinus tracts and production of granules. 3 Treatment of disease depends on the etiology of the causative agent. 2 Since the treatment of two etiologies is entirely different, A definite diagnosis after histopathological and microbiological examination is necessary, Serological test exists but is not so reliable. 3 The treatment has been surgical debridment or amputation. Noninvasive management with long term antimicrobials has been successfully reported.

Discoloration of urine is not uncommonly encountered in clinical practice and may indicate a significant pathology. However, the majority of instances are benign and occur as the result of trauma to the urological system during procedures or ingestions of substances such as medication or food. This phenomenon is known as the purple urine bag syndrome. It is associated with urinary tract infections occurring in catheterised patients, generally elderly females with significant co-morbidities and constipation. The purple discoloration is most often due to the presence of indigo and indirubin pigments which are the metabolites of tryptophan. In this article, we present a case of elderly man with this rare and interesting phenomenon after insertion of an indwelling catheter. The purple urine disappeared after antibiotic therapy.