DEAR DR. DONOHUE: After turning 65, I have noticed some weird changes in my body. One that is humiliating is that my breasts have grown. My wife says if they keep growing, I’ll have to wear a bra. What does this mean? Is this a sign of cancer? Can it be fixed? – P.L.

ANSWER: Enlargement of the male breast is called gynecomastia (GUY-nuh-coe-MAST-ee-uh). It’s very common in older men. With age, an imbalance between male and female hormones takes place. Male hormone production wanes some. Then female hormones become active in breast tissue and cause it to grow. Men do make female hormones, and women make male hormones.

In the early stage of gynecomastia, the breasts often are tender. That stage lasts about six months.

This is almost a universal occurrence in men. It’s not a common sign of breast cancer. Breast cancer rarely arises simultaneously in both breasts, but gynecomastia happens on both sides in at least 50 percent of cases. A doctor can usually distinguish between benign and cancerous breast growth. Gynecomastia produces a rubbery disk of tissue felt beneath the nipple. Breast cancer is a hard lump most often felt outside the nipple region. If there is any doubt, a mammogram settles the question.

In a few instances, gynecomastia can be an indication of rare illnesses. Some tumors, thyroid-gland abnormalities, liver disease and kidney failure stimulate the growth of breast tissue. Medicines can be responsible for it. Marijuana, opioid drugs and alcohol can also lead to breast enlargement.

Gynecomastia is also common during puberty. Generally it regresses on its own.

If the growth is disturbing you, tamoxifen, an anti-estrogen drug used in the treatment of breast cancer, can reduce the growth of breast tissue. It’s not approved for that use, however. Surgical removal of the tissue is another option open to you.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My question is about gallstones. My dad is currently in the hospital to have his gallbladder removed because of gallstones. He is 75. My mother had her gallbladder removed when she was in her early 60s for the same reason. I am worried this might be hereditary. What can I do to prevent stones? I am 46. – M.A.

ANSWER: Genes have an influence on gallstone formation. If a mother, father, brother or sister has had stones, the person has a two to four times greater risk of also getting them than does someone with no family history of stones.

You can reduce the risk by remaining on the slim side. Stay away as much as possible from saturated fat, the fat found in meats and whole-fat dairy products, and from trans fat, the fat found in many commercial foods like baked goods and in deep-fried foods. Cut down on sweets and refined sugars. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Stay physically active. If you need to reduce your weight, do so slowly. Rapid weight loss fosters gallstone growth.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: When referring to type 2 diabetes, do you refer to it as a “disease” or as a “condition”? My companion refers to it as “your disease” whenever we discuss anything related to diabetes. – D.L.

ANSWER: This is a question more properly asked of an English teacher, but it intrigues me, so I’ll have a go at it and invite readers to express their opinion.

My dictionary defines “disease” as “any deviation from normal in any body part, organ or system.” It defines “condition” as “a state of being or of health.” Diabetes seems to fit both definitions.

There is, however, a connotation with “disease” that doesn’t come with “condition.” A disease seems to indicate a degree of seriousness that a condition doesn’t.

To answer your question, I’d call diabetes a condition.

I got into an argument about what to call an injury like a broken leg. Is it a sickness? Are injuries sicknesses? In the Army, injured soldiers come to “sick” call.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My cholesterol has been high for a number of years, and my doctor insists on putting me on medicine. I resist taking medicine.

What do you think about taking garlic for lowering cholesterol? – L.R.

ANSWER: At one time, there was great popular support for garlic as a cholesterol lowerer. However, most experts are convinced that garlic – as cloves, powder or oil – has no effect on cholesterol.

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and also available in capsule form, might bring your cholesterol down. I have just read an irate letter from a woman whose cholesterol rose after she stopped taking her cholesterol medicine in favor of omega-3. I don’t want anyone to stop their medicine and replace it with omega-3, but a person can try it out to see what it does.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com