Leading Medicine Fall 2015, Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital edition

LEADING MEDICINE YOUR LINK TO HEALTH INNOVATIONS, NEWS AND TIPS IN EAST HOUSTON/BAYTOWN

BE A WISE GUY

FA LL 2015

Take action against these men’s health symptoms

WIN A KINDLE!

Test Your Breast Cancer Knowledge

SEE INSIDE FOR DETAILS.

Considering Cosmetic Surgery?

HEALTHY EATS

Pumpkin Soup Try this low-fat, low-calorie pumpkin soup for a hearty fall appetizer INGREDIENTS

IN THIS ISSUE FALL 2015

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3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11

You vs. the Flu A flu shot is your best defense against sickness this season

Time to Man Up Five health symptoms men shouldn’t ignore

¾ cup water 1 small onion, chopped 1 can pumpkin purée 1 cup unsalted vegetable broth ½ tsp. ground cinnamon ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg 1 cup fat-free milk ½ clove garlic, minced 1 ⁄8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

1

In a large saucepan, heat ¼ cup of the water over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 3 minutes.

Add the remaining water, pumpkin, broth, cinnamon and nutmeg. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the milk; cook until hot. Don’t boil.

Garnish with black pepper.

Serve immediately.

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3

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION Makes 4 servings. Each serving contains 72 calories, 1 g fat, 1 mg cholesterol, 241 mg sodium, 12 g carbohydrates, 1 g dietary fiber, 3 g protein.

Test Your Breast Cancer Knowledge How well do you understand risks and prevention?

Feeling Your Best Cosmetic surgery can give you a change for the better

Concussion Questions Learn to recognize injuries and keep your kids safe icture This P Insurance-covered screenings may spot early lung cancer

Primer on Prostate Cancer A Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers, but it’s also one of the most treatable

2 LEADING MEDICINE IN EAST HOUSTON/BAYTOWN

PHOTOS BY THINKSTOCK

When Wounds Won’t Heal Advanced treatments help patients with diabetes and other health conditions

You vs. the Flu A flu shot is your best defense against sickness this season

W

hat is the best way to protect you and your family this flu season?

Avoid contact with sick people, wash your hands often and get a flu shot. Fall kicks off the flu season. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu-related complications annually result in more than 200,000 hospitalizations in the United States.

Should you get a flu shot this year?

Anyone who is high risk for developing flu-related complications should get vaccinated: • Children younger than 5 years old • Adults 65 and older

• Pregnant women • People with chronic health conditions such as heart, lung or kidney disease; diabetes; immunosuppression or severe forms of anemia • Health care workers • People who live with someone who is highly susceptible to flu complications • People with HIV • Anyone traveling, especially to the tropics Worried about a parent or an older adult? In addition to the flu shot, seniors should also get a pneumococcal vaccine, which protects them against pneumonia.

Unlike the flu shot, the pneumococcal vaccine isn’t needed every year. Speak with your doctor if you think you or someone in your family might benefit from vaccination. n

PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK

Prepare for Flu Season

Not quite ready for flu season? Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital can help. To schedule an appointment with one of our primary care physicians or to inquire about getting a flu shot, call 281.428.2273.

FLU OR FALSE? Test your influenza intelligence with our quiz.

TRUE OR FALSE: DECEMBER IS TOO LATE TO GET A FLU SHOT. FALSE. A seasonal flu shot is the most important preventive step you can take. While the CDC recommends getting one as soon as the vaccine is available each year, the shot is offered through January and beyond. Flu season typically peaks in February.

TRUE OR FALSE: I CAN SPREAD THE FLU EVEN IF I DON’T HAVE SYMPTOMS.

TRUE. You potentially can share the sickness up to a day before you have symptoms. Practice good prevention such as frequent hand washing, coughing or sneezing into your elbow, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

TRUE OR FALSE: GETTING A FLU SHOT MIGHT GIVE ME THE FLU.

FALSE. This myth is perpetuated because a killed flu virus is a component of the vaccine. Because the shot may result in muscle soreness or a slight fever, people may falsely believe they’ve been given the flu.

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Be a

Wise Guy Take action against these men’s health symptoms

G

uys, it’s not just the women in your life who frown on your tough-it-out approach to health problems.

Men are more likely than women to smoke and drink, make unhealthy choices and avoid regular medical care, according to the National Institutes of Health.

The American Academy of Family Physicians reports that about a third of men don’t have a primary care doctor, and nearly 30 percent delay medical care as long as possible when they’re sick.

Many of the health risks men face can be prevented or treated successfully if identified early. But warning signs aren’t always obvious — and symptoms that seem minor can indicate a larger health problem. Here are five to take seriously:

SYMPTOM: SKIN CHANGES HEALTH RISK: SKIN CANCER

White men older than 50 are more than twice as likely as women to develop and die from skin cancer, the Skin Cancer Foundation says.

Yet nearly half of men said in a foundation survey that they hadn’t used sunscreen in the past 12 months, and 70 percent didn’t know skin cancer warning signs.

Red flags can be subtle and include new growths, spots, bumps and patches, plus slow-to-heal sores and shaving cuts. Remember this ABCDE guide when checking for skin cancer: • Asymmetry: Is one half of the mole shaped differently than the other?

• Border: Are the edges of the mole irregular, ragged or blurred?

• Color: Is the mole more than one color?

• Diameter: Is the spot larger than a pencil eraser?

• Evolving: Has the mole changed in shape, size or color?

SYMPTOM: LOWER LEG PAIN, POPPING OR SNAPPING NOISE HEALTH RISK: ACHILLES TENDON RUPTURE

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PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK

The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel bone at the back of the leg. A tear or rupture occurs when the tendon is overly stretched, typically during sports involving jumping, pivoting or sudden acceleration.

See a doctor if you feel sudden pain in your lower leg or hear a pop or snap. Treatment, which may involve surgery, depends on the severity of the rupture.

SYMPTOM: BACK NUMBNESS, TINGLING HEALTH RISKS: HERNIATED DISK, SPINAL STENOSIS

The spine is a superhighway that transports information from your brain to the rest of your body. Pay attention to the messages it sends.

Are you experiencing numbness or tingling? These may be signs of herniated disks or spinal stenosis, which share symptoms but have different causes.

Over time, the rubbery disks between the spine’s vertebrae may rupture, or herniate. The jelly-like center of the disk then leaks, irritating nearby nerves and sometimes causing persistent pain along the sciatic nerve from the lower back to the lower leg. Treatment may include rest, therapy or surgery.

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the open spaces inside the spine. The condition puts pressure on the nerves and spinal cord, sometimes resulting in pain or numbness in the neck, back, arms or legs as well as problems with bladder and bowel function. Treatment may include medication, physical therapy, braces or surgery.

SYMPTOM: SHORTNESS OF BREATH

HEALTH RISK: HEART ATTACK

Heart attacks don’t always announce themselves with sudden, intense pain or squeezing in the center of your chest.

Sometimes they masquerade as pneumonia, for example, or asthma, fatigue or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Shortness of breath may be your only signal to call 911 for lifesaving emergency treatment.

Men — who are at greater risk for heart attack and at earlier ages than women — should be especially alert to the possibility if they smoke, are physically inactive or overweight, or have high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes. Those factors increase heart attack risk.

SYMPTOM: URINARY CHANGES

HEALTH RISKS: ENLARGED PROSTATE OR PROSTATE CANCER

Have you been going more frequently or urgently? Do you have trouble emptying your bladder? The prostate gland could be to blame.

Although the conditions sometimes share symptoms, an enlarged prostate does not necessarily signal prostate cancer, nor does it increase odds for developing the cancer. Both conditions are common in men starting at midlife.

The most common culprit for an enlarged prostate is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition in which abnormal cell growth causes the enlarged gland to press against the bladder and urethra.

See your doctor about troubling symptoms — immediately if you have bloody urine, pain or burning with urination or are unable to urinate.

Treatment options can be complex. For either problem, doctormonitored watchful waiting may be the initial response. n

AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION Even the healthiest men need regular screenings to ensure they stay at their best. Men should schedule a physical exam every two years until age 50 and annually after that, along with the following screenings: B LOOD PRESSURE: Every two years, more often if it’s high.

CHOLESTEROL, HEART DISEASE: Every five years after age 34, more often with high cholesterol or certain other conditions.

D IABETES: Every three years after age 45, earlier if you’re overweight.

COLORECTAL CANCER: Starting at age 50, earlier with inflammatory bowel disease, polyps or family history of colon cancer or polyps. Frequency depends on test performed and your risk factors.

PROSTATE CANCER: Talk with your doctor starting at age 50 (45 if you’re African-American or have a family history of prostate cancer).

LUNG CANCER: Yearly starting at age 55 if you have a 30 “pack-year” smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.

Men’s Health Appointments

To schedule a health screening at Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital, call 281.428.2273.

HOUSTONMETHODIST.ORG/SANJACINTO 5

Test Your Breast Cancer Knowledge How well do you understand risks and prevention?

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ost of us know someone who has faced breast cancer, but many don’t understand what we can do to prevent the disease diagnosed in one in eight American women. Take our quiz to see how much you know.

1

Most cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women 50 and older.

At what age should you start getting annual mammograms that can reveal breast cancer in the earliest stages?

A. 60 B. 50 C. 40

ANSWER: C. Most women should have an annual mammogram starting at age 40. If you are at high risk, ask your doctor about starting sooner.

2

Are mammograms the only way to detect breast cancer at an early stage?

A. Yes B. No C. It depends on the woman’s age

ANSWER: B. Annual breast exams at your doctor’s office and monthly breast

self-exams can help identify lumps or changes in your breasts that could be signs of cancer.

3

What steps can you take to lower your risk of breast cancer?

A. D on’t use deodorant or antiperspirant.

B. Avoid wearing underwire bras.

C. M aintain a healthy weight and get regular exercise.

ANSWER: C. These healthy behaviors can lower your risk. The other answers are myths.

Inheriting harmful mutations in 4 the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene is one of the main risk factors for breast

cancer. Which of these other factors can also increase your risk?

A. F amily or personal history of breast cancer B. L ong-term use of hormone replacement therapy C. All of the above

ANSWER: C. Other risk factors include dense breasts and having undergone treatment with radiation therapy to the breast and chest.

Mammograms in 3-D

6 LEADING MEDICINE IN EAST HOUSTON/BAYTOWN

While lying down, place a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. With your left hand, move the pads of your fingers around your right breast area and armpit, using circular motions. Squeeze the nipple to check for discharge. Repeat for your left breast.

Standing in front of the mirror, look at your breasts with your arms at your sides and then raise your arms overhead.

Perform these checks monthly, looking for these signs: A lump in the breast Any unexplained change in breast size or shape Dimpling anywhere on the breast Nipple tenderness or discharge A nipple that is turned slightly inward or inverted Skin that has become scaly, red or swollen, or any change in skin texture These signs do not necessarily mean you have cancer, but you should see your doctor to discuss them.

I have a test to find 5Should out whether I carry the BRCA1

or BRCA2 gene mutation that can cause breast cancer?

A. Yes B. No C. Maybe, if you have a strong family history of breast cancer

ANSWER: C. A “strong family history” includes close relatives diagnosed before age 50, a family member with the gene mutations, or family members with multiple breast cancers, cancer in both breasts, or both breast and ovarian cancers. You should have counseling before deciding to have genetic testing. n

PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK

Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital placeholder CTA.]now offers 3-D mammograms, which provide the clearest images at no additional radiation dose. Call 832.556.6300 or visit houstonmethodist.org/sanjacinto or to schedule your mammogram today.

HOW TO PERFORM A BREAST SELF-EXAM

Schedule a Consultation

Feeling Your

Best PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK

Cosmetic surgery can give you a change for the better Changing one’s looks is a personal decision, which is why people have many reasons for choosing plastic surgery. Some may want to restore their youthful appearance.

Dr. Benjamin Others may dislike a Albright particular feature or want to make physical improvements after certain surgeries or an injury, such as a broken nose. In 2014, more than 10 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the United States, an increase of 274 percent since 1997, according to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

When people undergo procedures to smooth out facial wrinkles or restore the youthful contours to their figure, they appear not only younger but also happier, research shows. A study published in the journal JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery found that

people who had cosmetic surgery were perceived to be more likable than they were before surgery.

Modern techniques allow for lessinvasive procedures such as injections of fillers and neuromodulators (Botox) with less downtime. “Less-invasive options require a shorter recovery period, in general, but may give temporary or less dramatic results,” said Dr. S. Benjamin Albright, a plastic surgeon at Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital.

NATURAL RESULTS

Fortunately, modern surgical techniques safely and reliably produce pleasing and natural results, Albright said. The modern comprehensive facelift procedure utilizes the current understanding of facial anatomy to lift and reposition facial tissues.

Eyelid rejuvenation surgery can safely restore youthful contours without the unnatural-looking aftereffect that characterized some older techniques.

If you are interested in a consultation, please call 281.428.2273 to schedule an appointment with plastic surgeon Dr. Benjamin Albright at Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital.

Many people start with noninvasive procedures and progress to surgery as the aging process continues.

Cosmetic surgery may offer more long-term, visible changes, but it carries added risk and longer downtime. “An advantage of having elective surgery performed at Houston Methodist San Jacinto is that an overnight observation in the hospital is included in the special cosmetic procedure packages,” Albright said. “This increases the level of safety by allowing us to monitor a patient in the immediate postoperative period.”

A CULTURE OF SAFETY

At Houston Methodist San Jacinto, fully trained and licensed physicians use the most sophisticated technology. If there is an unforeseen emergency, patients receive prompt and thorough attention.

“When considering elective cosmetic surgery, it’s important to choose a facility that promotes a culture of safety where all employees are actively looking for ways to improve patient outcomes,” Albright said. “This is especially true for cosmetic surgery, where there is even less tolerance for having an adverse event or complication.”

THE RECOVERY

Cosmetic surgery can require six weeks to two months of recovery.

But oftentimes, it can be performed in conjunction with other surgery that is medically necessary, such as hysterectomy or bladder surgery, and can allow for return to work or social activity without the need for additional recovery time. n

HOUSTONMETHODIST.ORG/SANJACINTO 7

Concussion Questions

Care for Sports Injuries

Learn to recognize injuries and keep your kids safe

A

sharp increase in the number of children checking into emergency rooms for concussions and other traumatic brain injuries has parents concerned. The number of ER visits for these injuries jumped 62 percent between 2001 and 2009, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which cites better awareness and education as reasons for the increase. Here, we answer common questions about concussions.

Q

HOW CAN I TELL WHETHER MY CHILD HAS A CONCUSSION?

Typical concussion symptoms include headache, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, blurred vision, sensitivity to noise and light, trouble with balance, and irritability. Sleep disturbances are also common.

Your child may experience symptoms immediately after an injury but, in some cases, it can take several days — or even weeks — for signs of a concussion to appear. If you think your child has a concussion, take him or her to the emergency room immediately.

Q

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY CHILD HAS A CONCUSSION?

A concussion is considered a traumatic brain injury that can change how the brain works. To prevent permanent brain damage, it’s essential to seek immediate treatment in an ER. In fact, taking a “wait and see” approach may make the situation worse.

While your child’s concussion heals, make sure he or she gets plenty of rest and avoids high-risk activities like playing sports and riding bicycles.

Kids should also take it easy when it

To learn more about sports injury rehabilitation and care at Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital, please call 281.427.7400.

comes to reading, texting and playing video games: Cognitive rest helps the brain heal. Be sure to get the go-ahead from your doctor before allowing your child to return to activity.

Q

HOW CAN I KEEP MY KIDS SAFE?

There’s no need to make your kids sit on the sidelines while their friends climb on the jungle gym. Instead, embrace a “safety first” mantra.

Make sure your kids wear helmets while playing contact sports or riding bicycles, scooters and skateboards. You can also install window guards and gates to prevent falls. And using seat belts isn’t just smart; it’s the law. n

SPORTS INJURIES: DOCTOR OR DEAL? You overdid it in the gym or on the court, but you’re hoping the pain will go away on its own. Follow these guidelines to determine when it’s time to see the doctor.

WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR

Mild to moderate soreness

Moderate to severe pain that persists a week or longer and doesn’t get better with rest, ice, compression and elevation

No outward signs of injury or loss of function

Numbness, swelling, stiffness or reduced range of motion

Soreness that occurs after strenuous play or activity

Pain upon waking up, or during activity or nonstrenuous daily activities

8 LEADING MEDICINE IN EAST HOUSTON/BAYTOWN

PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK

WHEN TO DEAL

Spotting

Lung Cancer Insurance-covered screenings may detect the disease early

I

f you’re a current or former smoker, you may be eligible for lung cancer screenings that Medicare and private insurance now cover.

Following a U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation, insurers this year began covering annual low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans for certain patients.

“Aside from stopping cigarette smoking, lung cancer screening with CT is the most significant development in reducing deaths from lung cancer treatment in my lifetime,” said Dr. Pamela Medellin, an oncologist at Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital. “We can detect lung cancer when it is small and long before it becomes symptomatic or spreads outside the lungs.”

Here are screening highlights to discuss with your doctor.

PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK

Q

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

For Medicare beneficiaries, it’s those ages 55 to 77 who currently smoke or have quit in the past 15 years; who have a tobacco smoking history of at least 30 “pack years” (an average of one pack a day for 30 years, two packs a day for 15 years, etc.); and who receive a written order from a physician or qualified nonphysician practitioner.

Under private insurers — which are required by the Affordable Care Act to cover lung cancer screenings — policyholders are eligible through age 80.

BREATHE RIGHT

Q

WHAT DOES IT COST?

Lung cancer screening is covered by private insurance and Medicare for eligible patients.

Medicare requires providers to include smoking cessation counseling prior to the scan.

Q

WHAT HAPPENS DURING SCREENING?

Q

IS THE SCREENING RISKY?

An X-ray machine using low-dose radiation scans and takes pictures of the lungs while patients lie on a table and hold their breath for a few seconds.

Potential risks include the cumulative effects of radiation exposure and results that are false positive (a finding that looks like cancer but is not) or false negative (in which cancer is present but not detected). Positive results can lead to additional tests, including imaging studies or more invasive procedures such as biopsy. n

In addition to not smoking, you can do more to protect your lungs from cancer, asthma and other conditions. Adopt these habits to keep your lungs healthy.

Get moving. Stay active

to boost your lung strength.

Consider swimming, which requires rhythmic breathing, or yoga, which can improve respiratory function.

Eat right. Dietitians say foods such as broccoli, cabbage, salmon and eggs support lung health.

Get a flu shot. Enhance the infection-fighting power of the flu shot by washing your hands often, and help others by covering your sneezes and coughs.

Strategize outdoor time.

Consider staying indoors when pollution and allergens are at higher levels. Check alerts by ZIP code at airnow.gov.

Are You at High Risk?

Find out if you are a candidate for the lung cancer screening program, which helps those at high risk for developing lung cancer receive a diagnosis at an early stage. To schedule an appointment, call 713.441.5864.

HOUSTONMETHODIST.ORG/SANJACINTO 9

SHOW YOUR FEET SOME LOVE

When Wounds

Won’t Heal Advanced treatments can help patients with diabetes and other health conditions

D

vessels to speed the delivery of oxygen and healing nutrients.

Unless, that is, the body’s defenses have been weakened by factors such as disease, excess weight, poor nutrition, smoking, alcohol use, stress, renal failure, cancer or certain medicines.

Houston Methodist San Jacinto offers state-of-the-art treatments such as bioengineered skin substitutes and hyperbaric oxygen therapy for wound patients.

Hyperbaric, or high-pressure, oxygen therapy (HBOT) was developed in the 17th century to treat divers with decompression illness (“the bends”), a use that continues today. In the centuries since, health care professionals have found new uses for it.

10 LEADING MEDICINE IN EAST HOUSTON/BAYTOWN

Healing Help

Inside Houston Methodist San Jacinto’s hyperbaric chamber, a patient is surrounded by pure oxygen at higherthan-usual atmospheric pressure during sessions lasting about two hours each.

HBOT increases oxygen levels in the patient’s blood, activating infectionfighting white blood cells to heal diabetic foot ulcers, failing skin grafts, radiation tissue damage and other issues.

WARNING SIGNS OF NONHEALING WOUNDS

Contact your doctor if your wound: • Hasn’t healed in a month • Is red or warm • Emits an odor • Produces thick, grayish fluid • Feels painful or numb • Is swollen • Causes a fever n

Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital has a comprehensive wound care program that offers hyperbaric oxygen therapy. To schedule a consultation, call 281.428.2273.

PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK

on’t be too quick to dismiss little nicks and scratches.

Even minor nicks from a kitchen knife or routine blisters from walking can develop into nonhealing wounds.

In most cases, the human body marshals its forces to fight infection and repair a wound in a matter of weeks.

But for 5 million to 7 million Americans annually, wounds become chronic.

Those numbers include people who have diabetes or vascular disease or whose health has contributed to poor circulation, which slows recovery from wounds.

The Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Program at Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital uses a team approach to restore nature’s balance when healing fails to follow its normal course.

Injuries usually mend themselves without much human intervention.

A clot develops to stop the bleeding, then dries and forms a protective scab.

The immune system releases fluid to help clean the wound and opens blood

Feet are a major concern in diabetes care. Problems such as calluses can be an indication of weight-bearing pressure that must be guarded against. And because diabetic neuropathy (or nerve damage) may cause you to lose feeling in your feet over time, you might not notice a callus until it’s already developed into an ulcer.

With daily foot care, you can keep calluses from building. Use a pumice stone right after showering and a good moisturizer to soften your feet.

Keep your toenails neatly clipped straight across to help prevent them from becoming ingrown. But be sure to consult with your health care provider before performing any foot care — especially if you have little or no sensation in your feet.

A Primer on Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers, but it’s also one of the most treatable when detected early

O

ne of the important aspects of men’s health is awareness about prostate cancer, the second most common cancer among men in the United States. This year, approximately 30,000 American men will die from the disease, said Dr. Bayo Tojuola, a urologist at Houston Methodist Hospital. But when detected early, prostate cancer can be treated successfully. According to the American Cancer Society, the 10-year survival rate for the disease is 99 percent with appropriate treatment. Here’s what you need to know about prostate cancer.

PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK

ABOUT THE PROSTATE The prostate, part of the male reproductive system, is a walnut-sized gland that rests below the bladder. The purpose of the prostate is to produce seminal fluid that provides nutrients for the sperm.

RISK FACTORS • Age: Prostate cancer is most common in men older than 50, and the risk increases with age.

• Race: African-American men have a greater risk for prostate cancer.

• Obesity • Family history of prostate cancer

THE SYMPTOMS Prostate cancer usually grows slowly, often not causing signs or symptoms until it is more advanced. Symptoms may include: • Inability to pass urine • Difficulty starting or stopping the urine flow • Pain or burning during urination • Blood in your urine • Pain in lower back, upper thighs or hips • Erectile dysfunction ELEVATED PSA LEVELS, EXPLAINED If you are a man older than 50, your urologist should conduct a prostatespecific antigen (PSA) test. PSA is an enzyme produced by prostate cells. An antigen is simply a protein that can be identified for a particular organ. A measurement of elevated PSA levels

Attention, Men

Talk with your doctor about the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for prostate cancer. Call 281.428.2273 to schedule your appointment at Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital.

alerts the physician or urologist to the possibility the patient may have prostate cancer.

TREATMENT OPTIONS For men diagnosed early, treatment may not be necessary immediately. Active surveillance or regular follow-ups may be recommended. Other treatment options include: • Radiation therapy • Hormone therapy • Surgery • Chemotherapy n

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY FOR DIAGNOSING PROSTATE CANCER Houston Methodist uses enhanced technology to detect and diagnose prostate cancer. MRI-ultrasound fusion decreases the number of biopsies needed to make a diagnosis, which allows for a more precise treatment plan. By merging an MRI image onto an ultrasound image, the technology helps urologists see areas of the prostate that are suspected of being cancerous.

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San Jacinto Methodist Hospital 4401 Garth Rd. Baytown, Texas 77521-2122 houstonmethodist.org/sanjacinto

713.790.3333

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Just around the corner Houston Methodist has locations throughout the Greater Houston area to best serve you near your home or workplace. Our locations include hospitals, and emergency care and imaging centers.

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5. Houston Methodist West Hospital

2. Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital

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EMERGENCY CARE CENTERS 713.441.ER24 (3724)

9. Houston Methodist Kirby Emergency Care Center 10. Houston Methodist Pearland Emergency Care Center

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13. Houston Methodist Cinco Ranch Emergency Care Center NOW OPEN! 14. Houston Methodist Cypress Emergency Care Center Opening in Fall 2015 15. Houston Methodist Spring Emergency Care Center Opening in 2016

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Taking care of the entire family With locations throughout Greater Houston, Houston Methodist Primary Care Group is dedicated to providing care for the entire family and proud to ensure efďŹ cient access to specialty and hospital services whenever the need arises.

To schedule an appointment, visit houstonmethodist.org or call 713.790.3333.

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For more information about Houston Methodist or for a physician referral, please visit houstonmethodist.org or call 713.790.3333.

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