Colon and rectal Cancer is the third leading cause of cancer related deaths in the US today with nearly 140,000 new cases per year. Most cases are not related to family history! You can reduce your risk for colon and rectal cancer if you eat foods high in fiber, stay physically active, and avoid smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, and obesity. Screening with colonoscopy for colon and rectal cancer is the most common diagnostic procedure and it is generally recommended to begin screening at the age of 50. Colonoscopy is performed routinely by gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons. Colonoscopy maybe a difficult topic to discuss but don’t die of embarrassment! Ask your doctor about screening for colon and rectal cancer today.

Theodoros Voloyiannis, MD, FACS FASCRS

Colon & Rectal Surgery

Memorial Hermann Medical Group Colon and Rectal Surgery Southeast

Clinical Assistant Professor in Surgery, UTHealth Science Center at Houston

 The Ancho Mole Sauce is a great heart healthy option for adding to your poultry instead of commonly used sauce bases that include cheeses or milk products. You will be sure to enjoy this flavorful filling addition to your meal.

 This is just one of the delicious heart healthy recipes featured on our Pinterest Page.

Ingredients:

Directions:

Place chilies in large bowl; pour 4 cups warm water over them. Let stand until chilies are soft, about 2 hours, turning occasionally. Drain, reserving 1 cup soaking liquid. Coarsely chop chilies.

Heat oil in heavy, large skillet over medium-low heat. Add almonds, peanuts, raisins and sesame seeds; sauté until toasted, about 12 minutes. Transfer mixture to processor; add chilies with 1 cup reserved chili soaking liquid and plum tomatoes. Puree until mixture is almost smooth.

Return mixture to skillet: add 2 3⁄4 cups water and bring to boil, whisking to blend. Reduce heat to medium-low; add chocolate and whisk until melted. Simmer until sauce thickens and darkens, adding more water by 1⁄4 cupfuls if too thick, about 15 minutes. Season with pepper.

This can be made one day ahead. Cool slightly, cover and chill. Re-warm over low heat, whisking often.

Serving suggestions: serve over grilled chicken, pork or red snapper

Nutritional Content:

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This tasty, heart-healthy recipe is part of Memorial Hermann’s effort to support people in making better food choices which are nutritional balanced.  Developed by registered dietitians, it offers a quick, easy food solution to complement a healthy, active lifestyle.

As with any nutrition or exercise program, consult your physicians and registered dietitian before embarking upon a specific plan.  This plan is not meant to cure or prevent disease, rather it is intended for information and reference purposes only and is not for use as an alternative for appropriate medical care.  If you think you have a medical problem, you should seek professional medical help immediately.

Temperatures in your car can rise 20 degrees within the first 10 minutes.  Don’t forget to check the backseat!  Children overheat four times faster than adults meaning heat stroke and death can happen faster than you think. Even the most vigilant parents can overlook a sleeping baby in the car.  If a child is left in a vehicle they can overheat, resulting in devastating injury, permanent brain damage or death.

A couple of tips for prevention:

• Put something you need in the backseat (purse or briefcase) or place something in the front seat to remind you that your child is in the car.
• Never leave children unattended in or around a vehicle. More tips on [Heat Stroke in Kids]: http://www.nhtsa.gov/safety/hyperthermia

“When thunder roars, go indoors!”

Weather can be unpredictable. The risk of injury and death increases when severe weather unexpectedly occurs.

According to the National Weather Service, when you hear thunder, immediately seek shelter indoors.

Did you know?

If you can hear thunder, this indicates that you are within striking distance of lightning.

Water and power lines conduct energy and so it is important during to avoid these objects (such as swimming pools, lakes, sinks, baths, corded phones and computers) during a thunderstorm.

If you are caught outside during a thunderstorm with no possible way to seek shelter indoors, avoid open fields, tall structures (such as trees or tall buildings), and never lie flat on the ground.

Source: National Weather Service

Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital is hosting a Stroke Support Group for stroke survivors, those who care for stroke survivors, and those who would like additional information about surviving a stroke on Wednesday, June 26, 1:30 p.m. in the Classrooms.

The June topic is “Emotional Ups and Downs after Stroke” and features Tom Bisbee, M.D., a neuropsychiatrist who deals with mental disorders attributable to diseases of the nervous system.

Future programs include:  On August 28, the Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital chef will demonstrate and prepare low-fat dishes.  On October 30, a Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital pharmacist will discuss the perils of taking multiple medications.  The Stroke Support Group annual Christmas Party will be held December 18.

Future programs include:  On August 28, the Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital chef will demonstrate and prepare low-fat dishes.  On October 30, a Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital pharmacist will discuss the perils of taking multiple medications.  The Stroke Support Group annual Christmas Party will be held December 18.

The group meets on the last Wednesday of every even month from 1:30 to 3:00 pm in the Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital Classrooms located at the West Entrance of the McKay side of the hospital.

Refreshments will be served for this free program but participants must register by calling 281.913.3470.

June is National Men’s Health Month and Memorial Hermann Sugar Land is teaming up with the Sugar Land Skeeters and Classic Chevrolet to present the 3rd annual Tune up for Life, a men’s health event. Come enjoy rock ‘n roll music while viewing classic cars and tune up your body with free health screenings.

There are over 20 free screenings to choose from including: blood pressure, bone density, orthopedic, glucose, dental and more. And if you complete a screening scorecard you will receive a general admission ticket to attend a Skeeters game at Constellation Field. Tickets available for the first five hundred.  You will also be entered to win an opportunity to throw out the first pitch as well as VIP Insperity Suite tickets courtesy of Classic Chevrolet.

Saturday, June 29, 2013, 9 a.m. – Noon
Constellation Field
1 Stadium Drive
Sugar Land, TX 77498

Event is free but registration is required by calling 713.222.CARE
memorialhermann.org

Free Screenings Available

In the past few years, it has become increasingly evident that concussions can cause serious long-term neurological damage if not properly treated. Athletes in high-impact contact sports are particularly at risk, with one in 10 suffering a concussion during any sports season.

Limiting full-contact practice during the football season gets us one step closer to making high-impact sports safer for our children.  According to The Houston Chronicle, an amendment calling for no more than 90 minutes of full-contact practice per player per week was passed Tuesday by the University Interscholastic League’s Legislative Council. It now awaits approval by the commissioner of education.  This amendment follows the NFL’s latest collective bargaining agreement, which also limited contact practices.

Summer Ott, Psy.D., director of the Memorial Hermann Ironman Sports Medicine Institute Concussion Program, says “while this is a step in the right direction, we still have a long way to go as it doesn’t address proper tackling techniques or limiting upright blocking drills where we tend to see the most concussive injuries during practice. Additionally, parents must pay particular attention to their youth sports athletes as these leagues are not regulated in the same way UIL sports are.”

Athletes who experience any of the signs and symptoms of a concussion after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body should be kept out of play for the remainder of the day and be seen by a health care professional experienced in evaluating concussions.  Your health care provider can then refer you to a primary care sports medicine physician, neuropsychologist, neurologist, or other specialist in rehabilitation.  For more information, visit http://ironman.memorialhermann.org/conditions-treatments/concussion-treatment-in-houston/

Lung cancer will be responsible for 27 percent of all of cancer-related deaths this year, according to the American Cancer Society. This shocking statistic makes lung cancer the most lethal cancer – even above breast and colon cancers. Because lung cancer is rarely diagnosed early, survival has traditionally been poor. When lung cancers are diagnosed early, the chance for cure increases dramatically.

Learn more about Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital’s Lung Cancer Screening Program

(May 30th, 2013)

Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital celebrated one year since performing their first TAVR Procedure.  TAVR, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, is a minimally invasive heart procedure to treat patients with severe aortic stenosis who are not candidates for open heart surgery.  Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital has performed 30 TAVR procedures in their first year, and is the only hospital outside of the Texas Medical Center that is approved to perform this procedure.  Available at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center and Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital, this less-invasive technology allows a new aortic valve to be placed within the diseased valve while the patient’s heart is still beating.

More about Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital’s TAVR Celebration

The predictions are already in: plenty of blue skies and lots to do outdoors. While you’re enjoying the lazy days of summer, don’t forget about that sunscreen. Yes, we’ve all heard it over and over – use sunscreen.  But are you familiar with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labeling rules for sunscreen?

There are two forms radiation from the sun – Ultraviolet A (UVA), which is thought to be responsible for premature aging and wrinkling of the skin, and Ultraviolet B (UVB), which primarily causes sunburn,” says Dr. Melissa Montoya Celi of Memorial Hermann Medical Group at Northwest.  “But both UVA and UVB rays increase your risk for skin cancers, including melanoma.”

More sun safety tips