I regularly dye my hair but a friend said recently it can cause cancer. Now I am very worried. Is this true?

There is no clear evidence that using modern hair dyes cause any form of cancer. Allergies can be a problem though so make sure you follow the directions given and do not keep the dye on your hair for longer than instructed. Wear gloves throughout and do not mix products.

I have pulled my hamstring playing football. What is the best way to get fit again?

While you do not say how much pain you are in, mild to moderate hamstring strains usually heal on their own within a few weeks. You can aid the recovery time by keeping the leg elevated on a pillow when sitting or lying down. It is important not to stress the injury by doing too much activity but do not rest completely. The body still needs to move so small movements every 20 to 30 seconds with your feet will help.

Compression aids such as elastic bandages can help reduce any swelling and you can also use ice on your leg (wrap some cubes in a towel; never hold ice directly on the skin) for 20 minutes every three to four hours. Relieve the pain with ibuprofen initially as it has anti-inflammatory properties but do not take painkillers for more than four days.

Do not try to go back to training or playing football until your leg feels as strong as the other one and you can move without pain or you risk a more serious injury. There's lots of advice in the Musculoskeletal Zone on NHS inform: www.nhsinform.co.uk/msk/lowerbody/thigh/ and you can also download the MSK app.

What is a goitre?

A goitre (sometimes spelt 'goiter') is an abnormal swelling of the thyroid gland that causes a lump to form in the throat. The thyroid gland is not usually noticeable and is a small butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that is located just in front of the windpipe (trachea). It produces thyroid hormones, which help to regulate the body's metabolism (the process that turns food into energy).

The lump created by the swollen thyroid gland will move up and down when you swallow but other associated symptoms can easily be confused with other ailments. These include; coughing, a tight feeling in the throat, a hoarse voice and less commonly difficulty swallowing or breathing.

There are two different types of goitre; diffuse small goitre - where your entire thyroid gland swells to a larger size and feels smooth to the touch and the nodular goitre - where certain sections, or 'nodules', of your thyroid gland swell and feel lumpy to the touch.

To diagnose a goitre your GP will perform a simple examination of your neck and check to see if it is a diffuse small goitre or a nodular goitre.

Your GP may also order a thyroid function test to make sure your thyroid is working properly and rule out any underlying health issues. The test measures the level of certain hormones (chemicals produced by the body) in your blood. Depending on the levels of different hormones in your blood, it will be possible to see if you have an under or over active thyroid which might require further treatment.

Goitres are a common problem with between four and seven per cent of the population having one. For some reason they are more common in women than men.

Treatment will depend on the size of the goitre and any associated problems it may be causing. If tests reveal that your thyroid gland is working normally, and the goitre is small, no immediate treatment may be recommended. Your condition may just be monitored.

If you have a problem with your thyroid gland, it will be treated. If treating the underlying cause of your goitre does not improve your condition, you may need to have surgery. One study estimated that up to one in seven people with goitres may eventually require surgery.