Stay safe in the sun

page 2

Busting belly troubles

page 3

Mammograms: What you need

to knowpage 4

A new way to screen for

lung cancerpage 5

Mended Knees

Baylor offers orthopaedic options for your joints page 6

On1-800-4BAYLOR ● July 2010

Visit BaylorHealth.com for informative videos,

interactive quizzes, online event registration,

and much more.

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Baylor Medical Center at Irving 1901 N. MacArthur Blvd. Irving, TX 75061 • 972-579-8100

Baylor Health Center at Irving Coppell 400 W. Interstate 635 at MacArthur Blvd. Irving, TX 75063 • 972-785-5500

President: Cindy Schamp

Marketing Director: Grant Farrimond

Main Switchboard: 972-579-8100

Patient Information: 972-579-4358

Physician Referral: 1-800-4BAYLOR (1-800-422-9567)

Irving Cancer Center: 972-579-4300

Irving Women’s Pavilion of Health: 972-579-8240

Irving Imaging Centers (Mammography): 2001 N. MacArthur Blvd., Suite 250 972-254-1616 440 W. Interstate Hwy. 635, Suite 120A 972-785-5650 2740 N. State Hwy. 360, Suite 200 972-579-4480

24-Hour Emergency Department: 972-579-8110

Human Resources Job Line: 972-579-8750

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.

Visit BaylorHealth.com or call 1-800-4BAYLOR for information about

Baylor Medical Center at Irving services, upcoming events, physician referrals, career opportunities and more.

BaylorHealth is published six times a year by McMurry. © 2010 Baylor Health Care System.

The material in BaylorHealth is not intended for diagnosing or prescribing. Consult your physician before undertaking 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 Medical Center at Irving, Baylor Health Center at Irving Coppell or Baylor Health Care System.

Photographs may include models or actors and may not represent actual patients.

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, Marketing Department, 2001 Bryan St., Suite 750, Dallas, TX 75201, or e-mail the information to robinv@baylorhealth.edu.

Skin Cancer WatchHave fun in the sun, but protect your skin

Save Your SkinTo find a dermatologist on the medical staff at Baylor Irving, call 1-800-4Baylor or visit FindDrRight.com.

Know the ABCDEs of Skin CancerA Asymmetry: One half of the lesion is different from the other half.B Border Irregularity: The borders are uneven, notched or blurred.C Color: Color is uneven, with shades of tan, brown and black.D Diameter: Even if it has no other characteristics, if it’s larger than a pencil eraser (about 6 mm), get it checked out.E Evolving: A sudden or continuous change in an existing mole.

Source: American Melanoma Foundation, melanomafoundation.org

Summer is here—time to head out-doors for picnics, playgrounds and pickup basketball.

But don’t forget to protect your skin. Skin cancer is the most common cancer, bar none.

Of the three types, basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma are much more common than melanoma. However, these grow most often on exposed parts of the body—head, neck, face, ears—and if they’re neglected and continue to grow, they can be very dis-figuring. For that reason, they should be treated promptly.

Melanoma BasicsUnlike its less-dangerous counterparts, melanoma can spread to lymph nodes and be life-threatening, just like other can-cers. It affects people of all ages, including otherwise-healthy young people.

While melanoma incidence has grown in recent decades, exposure to ultraviolet rays is not the only culprit. Other factors such as the immune system, family his-tory and skin type play a role.

The thicker the lesion, the worse the prognosis. Most of the melanomas seen today are early and thin, so they can be easily treated and even cured with sur-gical removal. But current treatments for advanced melanoma are not as suc-cessful. There have been clinical trials for new chemotherapies or vaccines for

malignant melanoma, and while they’ve sounded hopeful in the beginning, they have just not been very effective.

Be SensibleTake these steps to prevent skin cancer:l Always wear sunscreen when out-

doors. Look for an SPF of 30 or 45. A higher SPF does not provide signifi-cantly additional protection. And be sure to follow the directions.

l Seek shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

l Cover up with a long-sleeved shirt, hat and sunglasses. Darker clothing affords better protection.

l Avoid tanning booths.l Examine your skin head-to-toe every

month, using a mirror for hard-to-reach areas. If you find a suspicious spot (see sidebar), make an appoint-ment with a dermatologist.The bottom line: Get outside and do

the things you enjoy, but be sensible about your sun exposure. l   

By Deborah Paddison

2 BaylorHealth July 2010 l For a physician referral, visit BaylorHealth.com

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Gastrointestinal troubles don’t make for great dinner table con-versation, but that doesn’t mean

you should keep silent about them. These issues may signal something seri-ous. Paulino Rivera-Torres, M.D., a gas-troenterologist on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Irving, explains what some common symptoms may mean and when to seek medical care.

With any symptoms, Dr. Rivera-Torres points out that it’s important to listen to your body and consider your age and any other health problems. If you suspect a problem, trust your instincts and talk to your doctor.

ConstipationAn occasional, temporary drop in the frequency of your bowel movements often will respond to increasing fiber in your diet or taking an over-the-counter laxative. If your bowels don’t become more regular, talk to your doctor. Sometimes, a simple lab test can

determine the cause of the problem, such as low thyroid function or high calcium levels. An acute change in your bowel habits should definitely be checked out. Evaluation is especially important if bleeding or pain accom-pany your constipation.

DiarrheaLoose stools lasting for several days likely stem from an infection and will resolve on their own or with antibiotics. If you experience pain, bleeding or fever with diarrhea, see your doctor. Chronic diarrhea lasting more than a week war-rants attention. It could signal irritable bowel syndrome, a chronic infection or something more serious such as inflam-matory bowel disease.

Gas and bloatingPeriodic gas and bloating are mostly just embarrassing. If your symptoms are problematic, your doctor can rec-ommend foods that don’t cause gas. Bothersome gas and bloating might be signs of lactose or wheat intolerance.

HeartburnOnce-in-a-while heartburn should respond to over-the-counter antacids or medications. For chronic heartburn see your doctor, particularly if you are over age 50. That’s when your risk increases for Barrett’s esophagus, a precancerous condition.

Dr. Rivera-Torres emphasizes that if you’re concerned about your symp-toms, see your doctor. If you have a serious condition, treating it early is usually best. If it turns out to be noth-ing serious, you’ll gain peace of mind, guidance on how to deal with your symptoms and improved quality of life. l By Stephanie Thurrott

Trust Your GutUnderstanding common gastrointestinal conditions

Digestive HelpFor a referral to a gastroenterologist on the Baylor Irving medical staff, call 1-800-4BAYLOR or visit FindDrRight.com.

Visit us at BaylorHealth.com l July 2010 BaylorHealth 3

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Mammograms are key for detecting breast cancer early. Women have a 98 percent chance of survival if their breast cancer is found before it’s had a chance to

spread. And mammograms are important for all women. Only 5 to 10 percent of women with breast cancer have a family his-tory of the disease. Here, Amy Balis, M.D., a radiologist on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Irving, answers some common questions about the procedure.

Q: What is a mammogram exactly?It’s a special X-ray of the breast.

Q: What happens if I get called back due to a positive reading?Most abnormal fi ndings on the initial mammogram are not can-cerous. If a mammogram picks up an abnormality, we may rec-ommend additional mammogram pictures or a sonogram, which in most cases resolves the problem without further testing.

Q: When do I need to get a mammogram?We recommend yearly beginning at age 40.

Q: My mother had breast cancer. Should I get screened earlier?Family history is a risk factor for breast cancer, so discuss it with your doctor. There are simple blood tests that can test for a genetic mutation. Your doctor may recommend earlier screening or diff erent tests, such as MRI. You can also fi ll out a genetics questionnaire at the time of your exam to see if you qualify for genetic testing.

Q: How accurate are mammograms?Mammograms are very accurate, but no test is perfect. They are the best diagnostic tool we have now for fi nding early breast cancer.

Q: My breasts are dense. Am I more likely to get breast cancer?No, but it can be more diffi cult to spot a small cancer, making it even more important to get yearly screening.

Q: Does it hurt?To get a clear picture of the breast, the machine compresses the breast during the test. More compression means a clearer picture, and a better chance of fi nding a small cancer. Mammograms are uncomfortable, and there’s a sensation of pressure. It is better to schedule your routine exam during the time of your menstrual cycle when your breasts are less tender.

Q: When can I stop having mammograms?Never—they are a lifetime commitment to your health. Your risk of developing cancer increases as you get older.

Q: What’s the best way to schedule my mammogram?Schedule your screening mammogram today. Call Baylor Irving at 972-579-4333 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. And after your appointment, schedule one for next year before it slips your mind. ● By Stephanie Thurrott

In the KnowWhat you should know about mammograms

Mammograms MatterVisit BaylorHealth.com/IrvingCancer to learn about breast cancer prevention at Baylor Irving.

4 BaylorHealth July 2010 ● For the career of a lifetime, go to BaylorHealth.com

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To be eligible for the I-ELCAP study, participants must be between 40 and 74 years old, with exposure to cigarette smoke that’s the equivalent of one pack a day for 20 years. Participants can’t have any symptoms of lung cancer, such as recent shortness of breath, chest pain or unexpected weight loss, among others.

“As many as 215,000 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year, and only about 19 percent of those people will live five years,” Dr. Wood says. “If we can catch lung cancer early, we can do sur-gical interventions that can give these people a better quality and dura-tion of life.” l By Amy Lynn Smith

Visit us at BaylorHealth.com l July 2010 BaylorHealth 5

Baylor is participating in a study that’s not just exploring the poten-tial advantages of early detection

of lung cancer. It’s giving people in the community access to the screening tech-nique required to find the disease in its

earliest stages.The Baylor Charles

A. Sammons Cancer Center at Dallas’s Lung Cancer Center is part of the International-Early Lung Cancer Action Project (I-ELCAP). Initial results of this study have shown that newer screening tests, such as

low-dose spiral computed tomography (CT) scans, can detect lung cancer earlier than traditional CT scans or X-rays.

“We’re talking about lesions that are about the size of the head of a match, which older technology can miss,” explains Richard E. Wood, M.D., co-medical director of the Baylor Sammons Lung Cancer Center. “Low-dose spiral CT is a much more accurate screening technique.”

About 80 percent of the lung cancer cases identified so far by I-ELCAP using low-dose CT screening have been Stage I. According to I-ELCAP, the cur-ability of Stage I lung cancers is more than 80 percent.

“Patients at Stage I or II can be treated surgically,” Dr. Wood explains. “Once patients reach the later stages of lung cancer, they most likely can’t be cured.”

The Baylor Sammons Lung Cancer Center is currently the only location in Texas participating in I-ELCAP. Dr. Wood says the radiation dose from a low-dose spiral CT scan is about the same as peo-ple living in Dallas would get through two months’ worth of typical sun exposure.

Breathing EasierLung cancer screening trial brings advanced testing technology to Baylor and the community

Are You Eligible?For more infor-mation about the I-ELCAP study, call 214-820-6767.

“If we can catch lung cancer early, we can do surgical interventions that can give these people a better quality and duration of life.”

– Richard E. Wood, M.D., Co-Medical Director Baylor Sammons Lung Cancer Center

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6 BaylorHealth July 2010 ● BaylorHealth.com

WWhen avid golfer Dale Ridgley was 52, his knees started hurting after playing a tournament on a hilly course in California. For the next 10 years,“I just lived with it, and it got progressively worse,” he says. The constant pain interfered with his ability to walk, play golf and even to get to his offi ce since he usually arrived before the building’s escalator was turned on. Today, Ridgley is walking pain-free on two new knees, after having them replaced in January and April 2009 at Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton. “The rehab was quick. I was back playing golf four weeks after my second knee surgery,” he says.

Take the First StepsWhile joint replacement was right for Ridgley, not every problem requires surgery. It might surprise you to learn that orthopaedic specialists often prescribe weight loss, oral medications, joint injections of steroid medication and gel-like viscosupplements, bracing for extra stability, and physical rehabilitation programs.

“It’s a good idea to see an orthopaedic surgeon when you begin developing joint trouble,” says Pat Peters, M.D., an orthopaedic surgeon on the medical staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine. “Early identifi cation of the cause gives us more options to either correct or treat it and head off problems over the long term.”

Often, that can be done nonsurgically. “All some patients need to do is take anti-infl amma-tory medication, modify their activity level for a time and work through a rehabilitation program,” says Howard Moore, M.D., an orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist on the medical staff at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas.

Fix the Inner WorkingsLike Ridgley, Mariana Devereaux of Dallas also required surgery. When the tennis player tore the anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) in

Aches and pains won’t go away? Maybe it’s time to explore your orthopaedic options By Deborah Paddison

JointDecisions

Dale Ridgley is active again after two knee replacements.

Watch Dale’s StoryDale Ridgley, right, had both knees replaced at Baylor, and now nothing can slow him down. Watch his video at BaylorHealth.com/MyStory.

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BaylorHealth.com ● July 2010 BaylorHealth 7

her knees, she underwent major open ACL reconstruction at Baylor Dallas. The surgeon replaced her damaged ligaments by harvesting portions of her patellar tendon (below the kneecap) to use as grafts.

Afterward, her steadfast commitment to rehabilitation produced excellent results. “Today my knees don’t bother me much when I play, even with all the cutting motions,” Devereaux says.

Many orthopaedic solutions involve arthroscopic surgery, a less-invasive technique that can diagnose and treat a joint problem in the same procedure. Using a scope and special instruments, the surgeon sees inside the joint and makes structural repairs to tendons, liga-ments and cartilage. Arthroscopy can also relieve joint locking or catching caused by loose cartilage or bone fragments. Newer, high-defi nition video screens now visualize joint interiors with more clarity and detail. And refi nements in arthroscopic techniques allow many shoulder procedures—repairing rotator cuff tendons or reconstructing ligaments—to be performed via arthroscopy as well.

Call in the ReplacementsMore than 400,000 hip and knee replacements are performed in the U.S. each year, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Typical patients can expect a new joint to wear well for 15 to 20 years, depending on their age and activity level.

But you shouldn’t jump into joint replacement. “This is major surgery, and as with all surgeries, there are possible signifi cant complications, includ-ing blood clots and infection,” says Craig Goodhart, M.D., an orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist on the Baylor Carrollton medical staff . Patients also must be willing to work: A program of

exercise and physical therapy is required to achieve optimal results.

“I had one of those classic arthritic knees that can predict the weather,”

says Grapevine resident Colleen Butterfi eld, 78. Pain relievers helped, but after a cartilage tear, she under-went knee replacement last October. “Everything was so much better than I anticipated,” she says. “The nurses and physical therapists at Baylor Grapevine were so tender and caring; they even had a sense of humor.

It was a great experience.”Recent advances include better

anesthesia options, computer-assisted surgical navigation, and

implants better matched to patient size and gender. Also, some joint

replacements now can be approached less invasively. When arthritis is con-

fi ned to one side of the knee, partial knee replacement is a less-extensive resurfacing that relieves pain while preserving more natural knee function. Active seniors around age 55 are candidates, because recovery is faster and total joint replacement remains an option down the road. ●

A new knee has Colleen Butterfi eld, 78, back on her feet.

Body BasicsTreat your body right and it will work and feel better. Visit BaylorHealth.com/HealthCast for a quiz about ergonomics, a downloadable guide to treating sports injuries, a guided stretch-ing podcast and much more.

One Woman’s Joint SuccessCarrollton’s Gina Fletcher, a 44-year-old teacher, knows a little something about knee and hip replacements. After having both her hips and knees replaced earlier in her life, Fletcher believes she knows good joint replace-ment service when she sees it. As one of the fi rst patients at Baylor Irving’s Joint Unit, Fletcher shares her story:

“This last time around with the knee was diff erent in that they off ered a joint class at the hospital that they wanted us to attend. There were several people that were all having surgery on the same day, which was nice because you got to meet some people that were in the same situation you were. They gave us a notebook that explained everything we should expect, including what to do prior to surgery and while we were in the hospital and what would happen after we got home.

“The people there were awesome. The nurses that were there—I don’t know if they were handpicked for this unit, but I felt like they were—they were phenomenal. They were very atten-tive and knew exactly what I was going through. The physical therapists obvi-ously knew what they were doing too. They knew how to push you just far enough but not too far. I was thoroughly impressed with the people that I worked with there in the hospital, from the very fi rst volunteer who walked me to the unit all the way through. Everybody was just wonderful. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.” ●

By Stephanie Thurrott

Gina Fletcher

Schedule Your AppointmentMake an appointment with an orthopaedist on staff at Baylor Irving. Call 1-800-4BAYLOR.

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

NON-PROFIT ORG.US POSTAGE

PAIDBAYLOR HEALTH

Community CalendarJuly & August 2010

To learn more or register for these events, call the phone number listed or visit BaylorHealth.com/Irving and select “Classes and Events.” Look Good ... Feel Better ®

This free class helps individuals with cancer improve their self-esteem and manage their treatment and recovery with greater confidence. Aug. 23, 2 to 4 p.m., at the Baylor Medical Center at Irving Cancer Resource Center, 1901 N. MacArthur Blvd., Ste. 120. Call 972-579-4300 for more information.

Weight Management SeminarsGather information on weight loss surgery options such as gastric bypass, Lap-Band and the sleeve. Led by physicians on the medical staff at Baylor Irving. Upcoming dates: l July 15 and Aug. 9 at 6 p.m., Irving Medical Office Building II

Conference Center, 2021 N. MacArthur Blvd. l July 10 and Aug. 16 at 10 a.m., Baylor Health Center at Irving-

Coppell, 400 W. Interstate 635Call 972-579-4446 for more information.

Safe SitterSafe Sitter® teaches babysitters ages 11 to 13 how to handle crises, keep their charges secure and nurture a young child. July 14 and 21 at Baylor Health Center at Irving-Coppell, 400 W. Interstate 635. Call 1-800-4BAYLOR to enroll.

Support GroupSCaregivers Support Group Meets the first Thursday of each month, noon to 1 p.m. Topics focus on the challenges faced by caregivers and resources available for them. Call 1-800-4BAYLOR for more information.

Chix with StixMeets on the second and fourth Monday of each month from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. It is a knitting and crocheting class for patients who wish to participate in a class to learn a craft for relaxation. Call 972-579-4300 for more information. Lunch Bunch—Type 2 Diabetes Support GroupMeets the second Monday of each month, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Focus on subjects for patients with type 2 diabetes. For more information, call 972-579-4350.

Physicians are members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Health Care System’s subsidiary, community or afliated medical centers and are neither employees nor agents of those medical centers, Baylor Medical Center at Irving or Baylor Health Care System. BMCIRV 295_SD 5-10

“Because I have high cholesterol, I had a virtual scan to see if there were any blockages in my heart,” says Ronnie Parmer. “And they found a spot on my lung that turned outto be malignant.” At Baylor, Ronnie had surgery to remove his left lung. “The Chest Mass Clinic at Baylor Irving expedited my diagnosis and surgery in 11 days. When you’re dealing with the anxiety from cancer, time is very important. I’m very thankful they got me in and out pretty quick. I’ve quit smoking, and I feel like a different person.”

For a physician referral or for more information about cancer care services at Baylor Irving, call 1-800-4BAYLOR or visit us online at BaylorHealth.com/IrvingCancer

1901 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving, TX 75061

“I have a new lease on life.”

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