MARCH 2015

Baylor Scott & White

Josh nedfound the solution he needed for chronic heartburn PAGE 6

I can eat my favorite foods again.

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Baylor Health Care System is now

a part of Baylor Scott & White Health

Master of oneFocused surgical specialties means expert care for you page 4

BaylorHealth.com/Dallas

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The Benefits of Being a Teaching HospitalAs a teaching hospital, Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas serves as a major patient care, teaching and research center for the Southwest. Physicians who have completed medical school serve as interns, residents and fellows, pursuing increasingly advanced training in their chosen specialties and subspecialties.

After their residency programs end, “between 25 to 30 percent of our residents stay in the area and become future doctors for our health system and community,” says William Sutker, MD, director of medical education at Baylor Dallas.

A teaching hospital also tends to attract highly skilled physicians who enjoy training the next generation of doctors. “It’s rewarding to be able to teach, and it keeps the staff on their toes,” Dr. Sutker says. “You have to stay current in order to be the best teachers.”

In fact, having a teaching program enhances the reputation of a hospital, Dr. Sutker says. Baylor Dallas was voted to the U.S.News & World Report ’s “America’s Best Hospitals” list in 2014.

Learn MoreGo to BaylorHealth.edu for more information on medical education.

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QUICK HITS

Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, 3500 Gaston Ave., Dallas, TX 75246. Patient Information: 214.820.0111. Volunteer Opportunities: 214.820.2441. Giving Opportunities/Baylor Health Care System Foundation: 214.820.3136. Visit BaylorHealth.com or call 1.800.4BAYLOR for information about Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas services, upcoming events, physician referrals, career opportunities and more.

Baylor Health Care System Mission: Founded as a Christian ministry of healing, Baylor Health Care System exists to serve all people through exemplary health care, education, research and community service.

CEO, Baylor Health Care System: Joel Allison. President, Baylor Health Care System: Gary Brock. President, Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas: John B. McWhorter III. Marketing/Public Relations Director: Jana Pope. Editor: Breck Yakulis. Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas Board of Directors: Timothy Owens, Chair; Dighton Packard, MD, Vice Chair; CT (Sparkey) Beckham; Judge Oswin Chrisman; Shelly Conroy; Gary Cook; Michael L. Graham; James H. Gray, MD; Charles Ku; Robert Mennel, MD; Ronald D. Murff; J. Kent Newsom; Michael Ramsay, MD; Gretchen Williams; Donald H. Wills; John B. McWhorter III.

The material in Baylor Scott & White Health is not intended for diagnosing or prescribing. Consult your physician before under taking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines. Physicians are members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Health Care System’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and are neither employees nor agents of those medical centers, Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas or Baylor Health Care System. Photographs may include models or actors and may not represent actual patients. Baylor Scott & White Health is published by McMURRY/TMG, LLC six times a year for friends and supporters of Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas. © 2015 Baylor Health Care System. If you are receiving multiple copies, need to change your mailing address or do not wish to receive this publication, please send your mailing label(s) and the updated information to Robin Vogel, Baylor Health Care System, 2001 Bryan St., Suite 750, Dallas, TX 75201, or email the information to robinv@BaylorHealth.edu.

When fighting cancer, you want the best and the brightest experts on your side. That’s why we’re excited about our cancer care report card: Accreditation with Commendation, Gold Level. That was the result of the recent evaluation of the Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center at Dallas by the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons.

To measure the quality of cancer care programs, the CoC does a rigorous evaluation every three years, looking at how well a program meets 34 quality care standards.

“Receiving accreditation with commendation says that we are meeting and exceeding standards in

all areas,” explains Alan Miller, MD, PhD, medical director of the Baylor Sammons Cancer Center.

The CoC has continuously accredited the cancer program since 1962. However, 2014 marks the first time the program received commendation in all seven possible commendation categories, earning the program’s Gold Level status.

LOCaL CanCER CaREVisit BaylorHealth.com/

DallasCancer to learn more about the cancer care services

available at Baylor Dallas.

Conquering Cancer with Quality Care

Six out of 10 adults in Texas got colorectal screenings as recommended in 2010. That’s up from 35 percent in 2000—but it’s just below the 2010 national average of 65 percent. Screenings help � nd polyps before they have a chance to become cancerous.

Get Help for What HurtsVisit FindDrRight.com to locate a sports medicine physician near you—and make an appointment today!

Play SafelyExercise is a vital component of good health for young and old. Yet the way to prevent injuries changes as we age. Here are two tips to keep you in the game.

Kids, avoid overtraining. Many experts recommend taking off at least one season a year to reduce the risk of injury. According to one research study, young athletes should not spend more hours training per week than their age. Those who exceeded the limit were 70 percent more likely to suffer an overuse injury.

Adults, avoid undertraining. Build up your exercise level gradually, and avoid the “weekend warrior” temptation to fi t a week’s worth of activity into a day or two.

TaKE THIS QUIZIf you have diabetes, it’s essential that you understand hemoglobin A1c, a test that measures your average blood glucose. Visit BaylorHealth.com/Hemoglobina1c to see what you know.

Beat Blood Sugar SpikesAlthough managing diabetes might seem daunting, a big part of your plan boils down to this: Avoid blood sugar spikes. Th e good news is, it really can be as easy as 1-2-3.

1 Add exercise to your life—ideally, right after a meal. Eating raises blood sugar. Exercise lowers it.

2 Fill up on fi ber. Beans, whole grains and some high-fi ber vegetables can actually squash blood sugar spikes. Added bonus: Th ese foods are

fi lling, so they help with portion control, too.

3 Find your whey. Recent research suggests that consuming whey protein prior to a high-carb meal helps reduce post-meal blood sugar

spikes in well-controlled type 2 diabetes patients.

MORE

60%

©Thinkstock©Thinkstock2 BaylorHealth.com/Dallas

FdBL031501_BUMC2.indd 2 2/5/15 12:00 PM

Learn MoreGo to BaylorHealth.edu for more information on medical education.

MORE

Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, 3500 Gaston Ave., Dallas, TX 75246. Patient Information: 214.820.0111. Volunteer Opportunities: 214.820.2441. Giving Opportunities/Baylor Health Care System Foundation: 214.820.3136. Visit BaylorHealth.com or call 1.800.4BAYLOR for information about Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas services, upcoming events, physician referrals, career opportunities and more.

Baylor Health Care System Mission: Founded as a Christian ministry of healing, Baylor Health Care System exists to serve all people through exemplary health care, education, research and community service.

CEO, Baylor Health Care System: Joel Allison. President, Baylor Health Care System: Gary Brock. President, Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas: John B. McWhorter III. Marketing/Public Relations Director: Jana Pope. Editor: Breck Yakulis. Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas Board of Directors: Timothy Owens, Chair; Dighton Packard, MD, Vice Chair; CT (Sparkey) Beckham; Judge Oswin Chrisman; Shelly Conroy; Gary Cook; Michael L. Graham; James H. Gray, MD; Charles Ku; Robert Mennel, MD; Ronald D. Murff; J. Kent Newsom; Michael Ramsay, MD; Gretchen Williams; Donald H. Wills; John B. McWhorter III.

The material in Baylor Scott & White Health is not intended for diagnosing or prescribing. Consult your physician before under taking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines. Physicians are members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Health Care System’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and are neither employees nor agents of those medical centers, Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas or Baylor Health Care System. Photographs may include models or actors and may not represent actual patients. Baylor Scott & White Health is published by McMURRY/TMG, LLC six times a year for friends and supporters of Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas. © 2015 Baylor Health Care System. If you are receiving multiple copies, need to change your mailing address or do not wish to receive this publication, please send your mailing label(s) and the updated information to Robin Vogel, Baylor Health Care System, 2001 Bryan St., Suite 750, Dallas, TX 75201, or email the information to robinv@BaylorHealth.edu.

Six out of 10 adults in Texas got colorectal screenings as recommended in 2010. That’s up from 35 percent in 2000—but it’s just below the 2010 national average of 65 percent. Screenings help � nd polyps before they have a chance to become cancerous.

Get Help for What HurtsVisit FindDrRight.com to locate a sports medicine physician near you—and make an appointment today!

Play SafelyExercise is a vital component of good health for young and old. Yet the way to prevent injuries changes as we age. Here are two tips to keep you in the game.

Kids, avoid overtraining. Many experts recommend taking off at least one season a year to reduce the risk of injury. According to one research study, young athletes should not spend more hours training per week than their age. Those who exceeded the limit were 70 percent more likely to suffer an overuse injury.

Adults, avoid undertraining. Build up your exercise level gradually, and avoid the “weekend warrior” temptation to fi t a week’s worth of activity into a day or two.

TAKE THIS QUIZIf you have diabetes, it’s essential that you understand hemoglobin A1c, a test that measures your average blood glucose. Visit BaylorHealth.com/HemoglobinA1c to see what you know.

Beat Blood Sugar SpikesAlthough managing diabetes might seem daunting, a big part of your plan boils down to this: Avoid blood sugar spikes. � e good news is, it really can be as easy as 1-2-3.

1 Add exercise to your life—ideally, right after a meal. Eating raises blood sugar. Exercise lowers it.

2 Fill up on � ber. Beans, whole grains and some high-� ber vegetables can actually squash blood sugar spikes. Added bonus: � ese foods are

� lling, so they help with portion control, too.

3 Find your whey. Recent research suggests that consuming whey protein prior to a high-carb meal helps reduce post-meal blood sugar

spikes in well-controlled type 2 diabetes patients.

MORE

60%

©Thinkstock©Thinkstock BaylorHealth.com/Dallas 3

FdBL031501_BUMC2.indd 3 1/20/15 8:10 AM

Two or Three decades ago, cardiothoracic and vascular

surgery was considered one specialty. “The same surgeon might operate on a blood vessel in the neck and then on a child’s heart the next day,” says David Mason, MD, chief of thoracic surgery and lung transplantation for Baylor Scott & White Health.

With an explosion of knowledge, technology and techniques, “there’s no way that an individual surgeon can really be an expert in all the nuances of these vastly varied specialties,” Dr. Mason says.

Over time, surgeons have begun to subspecialize in a particular aspect of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery. “It’s by keeping up with the advances in their specific fields that surgeons can provide patients with the best care,” Dr. Mason says.

In simplified terms, cardiac surgeons treat the heart, thoracic surgeons treat everything else in the chest, and vascular surgeons treat noncardiac blood vessel problems.

Taking iT To The nexT LeveLTo be an expert means knowing more than just how to do certain procedures—it also means knowing whether and when a surgery is needed. “In addition to the technical aspects of the operation, one needs to have knowledge about the patient’s disease, the other potential treatment options and the patient’s overall medical condition,” Dr. Mason says. “This can only happen with close collaboration among treating physicians and should occur before any patient goes to the operating room.”

In line with national trends of narrowly focused surgical specialization, Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas added a dedicated thoracic surgery department in September. “We’re completely committed to noncardiac surgery of the chest,” Dr. Mason says. “Our mission is to advance the field of thoracic surgery and provide expert, compassionate care to our patients.”

Your neighborhood Surgical SpecialistsVisit BaylorHealth.com/DallasHeart to learn more about the specialty care available at Baylor Dallas.

MoRe

Who Does What?Understanding sUrgical specialties

a cardiac surgeon can treat:F coronary artery disease or

blockages of the arteries in the heart

F Blocked or leaking heart valvesF abnormal enlargement or

aneurysms of the large arteries in the chest

F Heart failureF atrial fibrillation

a thoracic surgeon can treat:F lung or esophageal cancerF severe emphysemaF gastroesophageal reflux diseaseF Hiatal herniasF swallowing disorders

a vascular surgeon can treat:F Blocked blood vessels in the upper

and lower limbsF aneurysms in the abdomen and

elsewhereF Vascular traumaF Varicose veins

Call in the SpecialistsBy sharpening their skills in particular disciplines, surgeons offer expert care for patients

4 BaylorHealth.com/dallas

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Your Neighborhood Surgical SpecialistsVisit BaylorHealth.com/DallasHeart to learn more about the specialty care available at Baylor Dallas.

Who Does What?Understanding sUrgical specialties

a cardiac surgeon can treat:F coronary artery disease or

blockages of the arteries in the heart

F Blocked or leaking heart valvesF abnormal enlargement or

aneurysms of the large arteries in the chest

F Heart failureF atrial fibrillation

a thoracic surgeon can treat:F lung or esophageal cancerF severe emphysemaF gastroesophageal reflux diseaseF Hiatal herniasF swallowing disorders

a vascular surgeon can treat:F Blocked blood vessels in the upper

and lower limbsF aneurysms in the abdomen and

elsewhereF Vascular traumaF Varicose veins

diseases, genetics and chemical exposure (such as asbestos).

HOW IT’S TREATED: Without medication, the prognosis is bleak. “Life expectancy after diagnosis is just three to � ve years,” Dr. Millard says. “� ankfully, two newly FDA-approved medications may help slow its progression and turn back the clock on scarring.”

3 CYSTiC fiBRoSiSAMERICANS AFFECTED: 30,000

� is inherited condition is characterized by an inability of the lungs to e� ectively clear mucus from the bronchi, the main passageways of the lungs. “� ese individuals experience chronic lung infections, and many will require transplantation,” Dr. Millard explains.

HOW IT’S TREATED: Individuals born with cystic � brosis have a di� cult road ahead, requiring treatment several times each day as well as frequent hospitalizations. “But exciting new medications for treating CF are on the horizon,” Dr. Millard says. “� ese treatments may be able to repair the basic genetic defects and allow these individuals to lead normal lives.”

Your Lungs: What Can Go Wrong?The low-down on three chronic conditions that cause trouble for the lungs, and the treatments that are making a difference

Every time you take a breath, it kick-starts a complex series of events that brings oxygen from the air into the blood that circulates through your entire body. It’s a fascinating process that can sometimes hit speed bumps.

“At least 40 million Americans are currently diagnosed with a chronic lung condition,” says Mark Millard, MD, medical director of the Martha Foster Lung Center at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas.

Here, he brings us up to speed on three conditions that cause trouble for the lungs (and have nothing to do with smoking), as well as the latest treatments.

1 aSTHMa AMERICANS AFFECTED: ABOUT 26 MILLION

� e most common chronic lung condition, asthma is characterized by in� ammation and spasms of the airways, which causes wheezing and shortness of breath. � ough asthma has a strong genetic component and usually develops in childhood, Dr. Millard says some cases do appear in adulthood. “� ose are often more serious and di� cult to treat.”

HOW IT’S TREATED: Daily medications can help keep symptoms at bay, and the latest inhalant medications are very e� ective at reducing in� ammation and spasms, Dr. Millard says. You can also reduce your risk of an attack by avoiding exposure to cigarette smoke, allergies and pollution.

2 PUlMoNaRY fiBRoSiSAMERICANS AFFECTED: 140,000

� is progressive disease causes scarring and sti� ness in the lungs, making it di� cult to breathe. “It stems from a defect in how the lungs repair themselves—they scar instead of heal,” Dr. Millard says. Causes may include autoimmune

Yes! You can

exercise if you have

asthma. Talk to

your doctor about

creating a plan.

©Thinkstock

ReadY foR Relief?the advanced lung disease center at Baylor dallas offers people with cystic fibrosis access to the latest therapeutic techniques to control symptoms and improve quality of life. Visit BaylorHealth.com/dallasPulmonary to learn more.

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After a decade-long bout with heartburn, Josh Ned is pain-free and back to eating the foods he loves

MOST OF US ONLY DEAL with occasional heartburn after a particularly greasy or spicy

meal. But Josh Ned’s heartburn was anything but occasional.

“I was taking over-the-counter medication for heartburn about 10 times a day,” says the 32-year-old McKinney resident. “I couldn’t eat anything spicy or sweet. Even apple juice and orange juice were o� the list.”

After nearly a decade of discomfort, Ned � nally mentioned his heartburn to his doctor last spring, who sent him for an upper endoscopy, a procedure used to determine the cause of heartburn.

It showed that Ned had gastroesophageal re� ux

disease, or GERD, a condition in which the valve between the esophagus and stomach doesn’t close properly, allowing stomach acid to back up into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation and severe damage. � e � x was medication—one that Ned would only have to take once a day. He was thrilled.

“I haven’t had heartburn since starting the new medication,” Ned says. “I can eat my favorite foods again—Tex-Mex, barbecue, cranberry juice and smoothies. I just feel so much better.”

Ned may have waited years to ask his doctor about heartburn, but you don’t have to. Here are the answers to some common questions about GERD.

Burned Out

REAL PATIENTS. REAL STORIES.

HOW CAN I TELL WHETHER IT’S GERD?A doctor will need to diagnose GERD, but symptoms include:

3 Frequent heartburn3 Regurgitation of food or a sour

taste in the back of your mouth3 Chest pain3 Di� culty swallowing3 Cough3 Hoarseness or sore throat3 Feeling as if there’s a lump in

your throat

“Di� erent people have di� erent symptoms. More common than not, people will have heartburn or discomfort in their stomach or chest,” says Praveen Srungaram, MD, a gastroenterologist on the medical sta� at Baylor Medical Center at McKinney. “But those symptoms overlap with heart and lung issues. Talk to your doctor to make sure it’s not your heart or lungs.”

IS GERD DANGEROUS?GERD itself isn’t dangerous, but it can lead to other conditions.

“When stomach acid is constantly coming back up into the esophagus, it starts to eat away at the esophageal lining,” Dr. Srungaram says. “� at can lead to in� ammation, bleeding and, in some cases, Barrett’s esophagus.”

Barrett’s esophagus is a condition where the tissue of the esophagus, after repeated exposure to stomach acid, begins to resemble tissue found in the intestine. It’s an uncommon complication of GERD, but it can lead to esophageal cancer.

HOW IS GERD TREATED?Your doctor may recommend trying over-the-counter antacids to curb the pain associated with heartburn. But if that doesn’t work, other medications are available to help reduce acid production and strengthen the esophageal valve. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair damage to the esophagus.

“If you’re � nding that you have to take medicine on a regular basis or you still have symptoms after eight to 12 months, it’s probably a good idea to see a specialist,” Dr. Srungaram says.

WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT GERD?Although you can’t prevent GERD, there are steps you can take to reduce heartburn.

Maintain a healthy weight. Excess belly fat directly contributes to heartburn because it puts pressure on your stomach and causes acid to back up into your esophagus. Aim for a waist circumference of no more than 35 inches for women or 40 inches for men.

Loosen your belt—literally! Avoid tight-� tting clothing around your abdomen for the same reason as above—it puts unnecessary pressure on your stomach.

Don’t lie down after eating. Wait at least three hours before going to bed.

Don’t smoke. Smoking reduces the e� ectiveness of the esophageal valve.

Avoid trigger foods. Di� erent people have di� erent heartburn triggers, but common culprits include spicy dishes, fatty foods, tomato sauce, onion, garlic, chocolate, peppermint, alcohol and ca� eine. Large meals of any type can also trigger heartburn.

“Within a few days of starting the medication, I saw a difference. It makes me wish I would’ve talked to my doctor a lot sooner.”

—Josh Ned

6 BaylorHealth.com/Dallas

FdBL031501_BUMC2.indd 6 1/20/15 8:11 AM

After a decade-long bout with heartburn, Josh Ned is pain-free and back to eating the foods he loves

MOST OF US ONLY DEAL with occasional heartburn after a particularly greasy or spicy

meal. But Josh Ned’s heartburn was anything but occasional.

“I was taking over-the-counter medication for heartburn about 10 times a day,” says the 32-year-old McKinney resident. “I couldn’t eat anything spicy or sweet. Even apple juice and orange juice were o� the list.”

After nearly a decade of discomfort, Ned � nally mentioned his heartburn to his doctor last spring, who sent him for an upper endoscopy, a procedure used to determine the cause of heartburn.

It showed that Ned had gastroesophageal re� ux

disease, or GERD, a condition in which the valve between the esophagus and stomach doesn’t close properly, allowing stomach acid to back up into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation and severe damage. � e � x was medication—one that Ned would only have to take once a day. He was thrilled.

“I haven’t had heartburn since starting the new medication,” Ned says. “I can eat my favorite foods again—Tex-Mex, barbecue, cranberry juice and smoothies. I just feel so much better.”

Ned may have waited years to ask his doctor about heartburn, but you don’t have to. Here are the answers to some common questions about GERD.

Burned Out

reAL PATIENTS. reAL STORIES.

HoW CAN I TeLL WHeTHer IT’S GerD?A doctor will need to diagnose GERD, but symptoms include:

3 Frequent heartburn3 Regurgitation of food or a sour

taste in the back of your mouth3 Chest pain3 Di� culty swallowing3 Cough3 Hoarseness or sore throat3 Feeling as if there’s a lump in

your throat

“Di� erent people have di� erent symptoms. More common than not, people will have heartburn or discomfort in their stomach or chest,” says Praveen Srungaram, MD, a gastroenterologist on the medical sta� at Baylor Medical Center at McKinney. “But those symptoms overlap with heart and lung issues. Talk to your doctor to make sure it’s not your heart or lungs.”

IS GerD DANGeroUS?GERD itself isn’t dangerous, but it can lead to other conditions.

“When stomach acid is constantly coming back up into the esophagus, it starts to eat away at the esophageal lining,” Dr. Srungaram says. “� at can lead to in� ammation, bleeding and, in some cases, Barrett’s esophagus.”

Barrett’s esophagus is a condition where the tissue of the esophagus, after repeated exposure to stomach acid, begins to resemble tissue found in the intestine. It’s an uncommon complication of GERD, but it can lead to esophageal cancer.

HoW IS GerD TreATeD?Your doctor may recommend trying over-the-counter antacids to curb the pain associated with heartburn. But if that doesn’t work, other medications are available to help reduce acid production and strengthen the esophageal valve. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair damage to the esophagus.

“If you’re � nding that you have to take medicine on a regular basis or you still have symptoms after eight to 12 months, it’s probably a good idea to see a specialist,” Dr. Srungaram says.

WHAT CAN I Do To PreVeNT GerD?Although you can’t prevent GERD, there are steps you can take to reduce heartburn.

Maintain a healthy weight. Excess belly fat directly contributes to heartburn because it puts pressure on your stomach and causes acid to back up into your esophagus. Aim for a waist circumference of no more than 35 inches for women or 40 inches for men.

Loosen your belt—literally! Avoid tight-� tting clothing around your abdomen for the same reason as above—it puts unnecessary pressure on your stomach.

Don’t lie down after eating. Wait at least three hours before going to bed.

Don’t smoke. Smoking reduces the e� ectiveness of the esophageal valve.

Avoid trigger foods. Di� erent people have di� erent heartburn triggers, but common culprits include spicy dishes, fatty foods, tomato sauce, onion, garlic, chocolate, peppermint, alcohol and ca� eine. Large meals of any type can also trigger heartburn.

“Within a few days of starting the medication, I saw a difference. It makes me wish I would’ve talked to my doctor a lot sooner.”

—Josh Ned

Have IBD? ReaD THIsLast September, the Baylor Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases opened to provide specialized care for people with IBD.

What is IBD? Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are the two main types of IBD, not to be confused with irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS.

“We all have some low-grade inflammation in our intestines to fend off dangerous microorgan-isms,” explains Themistocles Dassopoulos, MD, medical director of the center. “With IBD, this normal inflammation becomes unnecessarily exaggerated and causes damage to the intestine.”

Although these lifelong diseases have no cure, the goal of medical management is to give people a better quality of life by controlling symptoms and preventing complications.

“The vast majority of our patients lead normal lives. Our center brings an integrated, coordinated approach to patient care, with a close collaboration between medical and surgical doctors,” Dr. Dassopoulos says. “We emphasize the importance of the patient as an active participant in managing the disease.”

Let Us HelpVisit BaylorHealth.com/DallasDigestive to learn more about the Baylor Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

More

BaylorHealth.com/Dallas 7

FdBL031501_BUMC2.indd 7 1/20/15 8:11 AM

Talking on your cellphone all day. Saying yes to tanning and no to sunscreen. Skipping screenings. Find out how risky these actions really are when it comes to cancer

NOBODY’S PERFECT. But with cancer prevention, it pays to be as close to impeccable as possible. Here, we

rate your habits on a one-to-� ve scale based on advice from Baylor Scott & White Health experts.

GETTING YOUR BRONZE ONSun-kissed, golden skin might look great, but melanoma does not. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a working group of the World Health Organization, people who use tanning beds before age 30 increase their lifetime risk of melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) by 75 percent. So if you want a tan, hit the bronzer bottle, not the bed—self-tanner options are inexpensive, easy to use and completely safe.

SKIPPING YOUR SCREENINGSHealth screenings aren’t exactly fun, but their bene� ts are well worth the tedium, says James Fleshman, MD, a physician on the medical sta� at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas. For example, he says, “colonoscopy screening starting at age 50 and every 10 years thereafter in a patient with no risk factors can prevent cancer from ever occurring by detecting and removing precancerous polyps.”

� e same principle holds true for mammograms, says Michael Grant, MD, a physician on the medical sta� at Baylor Dallas. “For women over age 50, studies show that screening mammograms can help reduce the number of deaths caused by breast cancer,” he says.

In laymen’s terms? You can’t overcome cancer if you don’t even know it’s there. Talk to your doctor about setting up your screening schedule.

How Bad Is It?

Not too much to worry about.

Stop it right this minute!

RISK RATING

©Thinkstock

OPTING OUT OF ORGANICIf the pressure to buy all organic produce has you avoiding fruits and veggies entirely, take note: Whether organic foods translate to a lower risk of cancer because they are less likely to be contaminated by cancer-causing compounds is largely unknown, the American Cancer Society (ACS) says. So, while choosing organic produce certainly won’t hurt you (although it can be a bit pricier than conventional options), it may not be completely necessary. More important than organic versus nonorganic is fresh food versus junk food. Eat those veggies!

TALKING ON YOUR CELLPHONE ALL DAYHold the phone—literally. A recent report by the IARC found limited evidence of a possible connection between cellphone use and brain tumors. One of the studies examined for the report, which looked at cellphone use in several countries prior to 2004, showed that the heaviest cellphone users had higher risks for malignant

brain tumors. Heavy use was de� ned as 30 minutes per day for 10 years.

Although the evidence is not conclusive, it is enough to warrant concern, the ACS says. What can you do? Use an earpiece or a landline (remember those?) to limit time spent with your cellphone to your ear.

Organic or not—eat those veggies!

©Thinkstock©Thinkstock8 BaylorHealth.com/Dallas

FdBL031501_BUMC2.indd 8 1/20/15 8:11 AM

Talking on your cellphone all day. Saying yes to tanning and no to sunscreen. Skipping screenings. Find out how risky these actions really are when it comes to cancer

NOBODY’S PERFECT. But with cancer prevention, it pays to be as close to impeccable as possible. Here, we

rate your habits on a one-to-fi ve scale based on advice from Baylor Scott & White Health experts.

GeTTING YoUr BroNZe oNSun-kissed, golden skin might look great, but melanoma does not. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a working group of the World Health Organization, people who use tanning beds before age 30 increase their lifetime risk of melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) by 75 percent. So if you want a tan, hit the bronzer bottle, not the bed—self-tanner options are inexpensive, easy to use and completely safe.

SKIPPING YoUr SCreeNINGSHealth screenings aren’t exactly fun, but their benefi ts are well worth the tedium, says James Fleshman, MD, a physician on the medical staff at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas. For example, he says, “colonoscopy screening starting at age 50 and every 10 years thereafter in a patient with no risk factors can prevent cancer from ever occurring by detecting and removing precancerous polyps.”

� e same principle holds true for mammograms, says Michael Grant, MD, a physician on the medical staff at Baylor Dallas. “For women over age 50, studies show that screening mammograms can help reduce the number of deaths caused by breast cancer,” he says.

In laymen’s terms? You can’t overcome cancer if you don’t even know it’s there. Talk to your doctor about setting up your screening schedule.

How Bad Is It?

Not too much to worry about.

Stop it right this minute!

rISK rATING

©Thinkstock

oPTING oUT oF orGANICIf the pressure to buy all organic produce has you avoiding fruits and veggies entirely, take note: Whether organic foods translate to a lower risk of cancer because they are less likely to be contaminated by cancer-causing compounds is largely unknown, the American Cancer Society (ACS) says. So, while choosing organic produce certainly won’t hurt you (although it can be a bit pricier than conventional options), it may not be completely necessary. More important than organic versus nonorganic is fresh food versus junk food. Eat those veggies!

TALKING oN YoUr CeLLPHoNe ALL DAYHold the phone—literally. A recent report by the IARC found limited evidence of a possible connection between cellphone use and brain tumors. One of the studies examined for the report, which looked at cellphone use in several countries prior to 2004, showed that the heaviest cellphone users had higher risks for malignant

brain tumors. Heavy use was defi ned as 30 minutes per day for 10 years.

Although the evidence is not conclusive, it is enough to warrant concern, the ACS says. What can you do? Use an earpiece or a landline (remember those?) to limit time spent with your cellphone to your ear.

Organic or not—eat those veggies!

©Thinkstock©Thinkstock

Need a Screening?Visit BaylorHealth.com/Dallas to find a physician who can get you up to date.

IdentIfy CanCer earlyThese four common cancers are easier to treat when detected early. But your doctor can’t find them if you don’t get screened. Here’s when to start.

3 ColoreCtal CanCer: Men and women should get a colonoscopy at age 50, and every 10 years if no polyps are found. (African-Americans should start at 45.)

3 Breast CanCer: Starting at age 40, women need to schedule annual mammograms.

3 CerviCal CanCer: Pap tests are recommended every one to three years for women 21 to 65.

3 Prostate CanCer: Starting at 50, men should have an annual DRE (digital rectal exam), along with counseling about the pros and cons of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.

“If you have a family history or any other risk factors, talk to your primary care doctor about starting screening earlier,” says Michelle Ho, MD, an internal medicine physician on the medical staff at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas.

More

BaylorHealth.com/Dallas 9

FdBL031501_BUMC2.indd 9 2/5/15 12:00 PM

TOOL

TRYING TO GET PREGNANT?

� Use our ovulation calculator at BaylorHealth.com/OvulationCalculator to predict when you’re most fertile.

QUIZ

What’s Your Allergy IQ?Where are those dust mites most likely to be hiding? And what food is most likely to trigger an allergic response?

� Visit BaylorHealth.com/AllergyQuiz to take the quiz and fi nd out.

VIDEO

“There was absolutely nothing wrong with me—or so I thought.”

RECIPE

GRILLED PORK & PEACH SALADIf you’ve never tried adding fruit to your salad, now’s the time to start.

� Visit BaylorHealth.com/Recipe to get this recipe, plus many more.

Bill Dippel didn’t know he had colon cancer until his physician suggested a routine colonoscopy screening.

� Visit BaylorHealth.com/MyStory to watch Bill’s story.

ANY SOLDIER WHO HAS gone on a dangerous mission knows that

being swift, strong and focused can make the di� erence between failure and success. � anks to a recent study

at the Baylor Institute for Immunology Research

(BIIR), the lipoprotein receptor LOX-1 could be that di� erence when it comes to creating vaccines for viruses like HIV.

HOW VACCINES WORKTo understand the importance of the research � ndings, you � rst have to understand how vaccines work. “Vaccines trigger an immune response by introducing a weakened version of a virus or bacteria to dendritic cells, which induce, regulate and orchestrate the immune response,”

says SangKon Oh, PhD, principal investigator of the study.

But until now, researchers have had di� culty developing e� ective vaccines for certain viral infections, like in� uenza and HIV. “� is is either because the virus can mutate, making it di� cult to destroy, or because it remains latent, which makes it di� cult to � nd,” Dr. Oh says.

HOW LOX-1 HELPSLOX-1 is a receptor on the surface of dendritic cells (immune system messengers) that senses in� ammation caused by fungal, bacterial or viral infections and then activates the immune response, says co-investigator Gerard Zurawski, PhD.

In this National Institutes of Health-sponsored study, BIIR researchers took existing vaccines and “aimed” them directly at LOX-1. “By fusing an antibody binding, LOX-1 and a virus protein, we were able to stimulate a much more e� ective, powerful immune response that was directed speci� cally at the body’s defense barriers, like the skin and mucous membranes,” Dr. Zurawski says.

HOW IT COULD CHANGE THE FUTURE� eir � ndings could be the key to developing new vaccines against infections that have previously eluded scientists—and that’s created quite a buzz in the research community. In fact, the study made the cover of the journal Immunity in October 2014 and has garnered BIIR funding for future research from the Gates Foundation and others.

“It’s our hope that we will see or even participate in the development of new vaccines for illnesses like HIV in the not-so-distant future,” Dr. Oh says.

Now that’s a mission we can all get behind.

Seek and DestroyADVANCING MEDICINE

More Research Like ThisVisit BaylorHealth.com/AdvancingMedicine and clinicaltrials.sw.org for more of our stories about groundbreaking discoveries in medicine.

MORE

A specialized immune receptor could hold the key for an HIV vaccine

ABOUT THE STUDYLOX-1 Receptor’s Role in Mediating Immune ResponsesThe cell-recognition lipoprotein receptor could boost immune response to infections like infl uenza, tuberculosis and HIV.

Key PlayersBaylor Institute for Immunology Research

National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Tulane National Primate Center in Louisiana

CEA (France)

Left three images: ©Thinkstock10 BaylorHealth.com/Dallas

FdBL031501_BUMC2.indd 10 1/21/15 10:36 AM

TOOL

TRYING TO GET PREGNANT?

� Use our ovulation calculator at BaylorHealth.com/OvulationCalculator to predict when you’re most fertile.

QUIZ

What’s Your Allergy IQ?Where are those dust mites most likely to be hiding? And what food is most likely to trigger an allergic response?

� Visit BaylorHealth.com/AllergyQuiz to take the quiz and fi nd out.

VIDEO

“There was absolutely nothing wrong with me—or so I thought.”

RECIPE

GRILLED PORK & PEACH SALADIf you’ve never tried adding fruit to your salad, now’s the time to start.

� Visit BaylorHealth.com/Recipe to get this recipe, plus many more.

Bill Dippel didn’t know he had colon cancer until his physician suggested a routine colonoscopy screening.

� Visit BaylorHealth.com/MyStory to watch Bill’s story.

ONLINE

A New Place for People with IBDIf you’ve been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, there’s a new resource you can turn to: the Baylor Center for Infl ammatory Bowel Diseases.

� Visit BaylorHealth.com/DallasDigestive to learn more.

WHAT’S ONLINE

BaylorHealth.com

ANY SOLDIER WHO HAS gone on a dangerous mission knows that

being swift, strong and focused can make the di� erence between failure and success. � anks to a recent study

at the Baylor Institute for Immunology Research

(BIIR), the lipoprotein receptor LOX-1 could be that di� erence when it comes to creating vaccines for viruses like HIV.

HOW VACCINES WORKTo understand the importance of the research � ndings, you � rst have to understand how vaccines work. “Vaccines trigger an immune response by introducing a weakened version of a virus or bacteria to dendritic cells, which induce, regulate and orchestrate the immune response,”

says SangKon Oh, PhD, principal investigator of the study.

But until now, researchers have had di� culty developing e� ective vaccines for certain viral infections, like in� uenza and HIV. “� is is either because the virus can mutate, making it di� cult to destroy, or because it remains latent, which makes it di� cult to � nd,” Dr. Oh says.

HOW LOX-1 HELPSLOX-1 is a receptor on the surface of dendritic cells (immune system messengers) that senses in� ammation caused by fungal, bacterial or viral infections and then activates the immune response, says co-investigator Gerard Zurawski, PhD.

In this National Institutes of Health-sponsored study, BIIR researchers took existing vaccines and “aimed” them directly at LOX-1. “By fusing an antibody binding, LOX-1 and a virus protein, we were able to stimulate a much more e� ective, powerful immune response that was directed speci� cally at the body’s defense barriers, like the skin and mucous membranes,” Dr. Zurawski says.

HOW IT COULD CHANGE THE FUTURE� eir � ndings could be the key to developing new vaccines against infections that have previously eluded scientists—and that’s created quite a buzz in the research community. In fact, the study made the cover of the journal Immunity in October 2014 and has garnered BIIR funding for future research from the Gates Foundation and others.

“It’s our hope that we will see or even participate in the development of new vaccines for illnesses like HIV in the not-so-distant future,” Dr. Oh says.

Now that’s a mission we can all get behind.

Seek and DestroyADVANCING MEDICINE

More Research Like ThisVisit BaylorHealth.com/AdvancingMedicine and Researchers.SW.org for more of our stories about groundbreaking discoveries in medicine.

MORE

A specialized immune receptor could hold the key for an HIV vaccine

ABOUT THE STUDYLOX-1 Receptor’s Role in Mediating Immune ResponsesThe cell-recognition lipoprotein receptor could boost immune response to infections like infl uenza, tuberculosis and HIV.

Key PlayersBaylor Institute for Immunology Research

National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Tulane National Primate Center in Louisiana

CEA (France)

Left three images: ©Thinkstock BaylorHealth.com/Dallas 11

FdBL031501_BUMC2.indd 11 1/20/15 8:11 AM

THE MOST WELCOME WORDS YOU’LL EVER WANT TO HEAR:

Your heart transplant is 7 days away.

If you’re status 1A and waiting for a heart transplant at another hospital, you may wait months for a donor heart

– but not at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas. Our team of cardiac specialists aggressively pursues

ways to save lives, with a remarkable median† wait time of 7 days. We are 1st in Texas for volume, with excellent

survival rates. Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas is living proof that the more times a hospital performs

a procedure, the better its success rate. Call 1.800.4BAYLOR now. Because if you can only be on one list, this is

the one to be on.

† Median time to transplant for heart patients listed 1A between 7/1/2013 and 3/24/2014. Source: TIMS, Transplant Referral Management System. Physicians are members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Health Care System’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and are neither employees nor agents of those medical centers, Baylor Health Care System or Baylor Scott & White Health. ©2015 Baylor Scott & White Health. All rights reserved. ACHC_430_2014 BHm CE 01.15

To learn more, call 1.800.4BAYLOR or visit us

online at BaylorHealth.com/HeartTransplant

Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas is first in Texas and second in the nation for heart transplant volumes.

Baylor Health Care System Marketing Department 2001 Bryan Street, Suite 750 Dallas, TX 75201

NON-PROFIT ORG.US POSTAGE

PAIDBAYLOR SCOTT &

WHITE HEALTH

FdBL031501_BUMC2.indd 12 2/11/15 11:29 AM