LEADING MEDICINE W INT ER 2022
Expanding To Care for the Community
Team Up With Your Doctor FOR BETTER HEALTH Fighting Cancer With Your Fork Visit houstonmethodist.org/lmn/winter-2022 to read more online
YOUR LINK TO HEALTH INNOVATIONS, NEWS AND TIPS IN THE WOODLANDS AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO This month marks an exciting milestone for Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital with the opening of our Healing Tower hospital expansion. After 24 months of construction and enduring this Debra F. Sukin challenging time in health care, we are delighted to celebrate the completion of this project. This beautiful patient care tower was thoughtfully planned with the patient at the center of our design and incorporates innovative technology with the hospital of the future in mind. Healing Tower includes 106 additional beds to our existing 187 beds in the medicalsurgical areas and Childbirth Center. The community will benefit from an expanded Emergency Department — doubling our capacity with a total of 46 rooms; expansion of our diagnostic imaging department providing three MRIs, PET, CT scan, interventional radiology, and more; nine additional operating rooms bringing our total to 24; and a dedicated endoscopy center. As we serve this community, I feel a deep sense of appreciation for the trust our patients have in our brand of leading medicine. After opening four and a half years ago, I am pleased to share that we have achieved a No. 1 ranking out of 121 complex care medical centers in our benchmark organization, Vizient. This award stands for the very vision we set out to achieve by delivering unparalleled safety, quality, service and innovation. Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to expand and develop to meet the growing needs of our community and region. We remain committed to our vision to strive for excellence in everything we do. Best,
Expanding To Care
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ealing Tower is a six-story, state-of-the-art building expansion that will greatly enhance patient care at Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital. Every aspect of this space was designed with you and your family in mind.
FIRST FLOOR Emergency Department: 18 additional rooms for a total of 46 Imaging: 1 additional MRI for a total of 3 One additional CT scan for a total of 3 Expanded outpatient lab
Debra F. Sukin, MHA, PhD, FACHE Regional Senior Vice President, Houston Methodist Chief Executive Officer, Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital
2 LEADING MEDICINE FROM HOUSTON METHODIST THE WOODLANDS HOSPITAL
SECOND FLOOR Operating rooms: 9 additional rooms for a total of 24 ORs, including 2 interventional radiology suites dedicated to vascular surgery and interventional neurosurgery Additional CT scan for postsurgical assessment Preoperative and postoperative recovery: 31 additional beds for a total of 80 Robotic-assisted technology: Additional da Vinci robot for a total of 4
for the Community
THIRD FLOOR Dedicated center for endoscopy and bronchoscopy procedure recovery Large atrium with natural light, open seating and expanded dining options
FOURTH FLOOR Level III Childbirth Center: 32 additional beds for a total of 58 Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU): 10 additional beds for a total of 24 Outpatient lactation consultation area
This expansion provides our community with increased access to unparalleled health care, close to home. A few benefits of the new patient care tower include: An expanded Emergency Department providing increased access to high-quality emergency care when you need it most. Additional hospital beds to care for you or your loved-one in an environment that supports the entire healing process; plus, a larger Childbirth Center to help welcome more babies into the world. A hospital-of-the-future design, fully equipped with advanced technology which means accurate diagnosis and treatment, helping you recover faster and get back to life. Recently completed second parking garage providing you with convenient access to all areas of the campus so parking is one less thing to think about. Our growth is making a positive impact in the local economy by creating an additional 350 jobs to support this expansion.
FIFTH FLOOR Intermediate care unit (IMU): 16 beds Telemetry medical-surgical unit: 16 patient care rooms
SIXTH FLOOR Telemetry medical-surgical unit: 32 patient care rooms
Learn More
Visit houstonmethodist.org/thewoodlands to learn more about how Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital is leading medicine or find a doctor in your area by calling 936.270.3333.
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What to Ask Your ObstetricianGynecologist at Every Age
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ave you ever left your doctor’s office and thought, “Whoops! I forgot to ask about ….” Your annual exam with your obstetrician-gynecologist Elise Breaux is the perfect time to Rogers, MD discuss any questions you have regarding your health. “Your health concerns and priorities may continue to evolve through every stage of life, and we’re here to help you navigate those changes,” said Dr. Elise Breaux Rogers, obstetrician-gynecologist with Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital. “Being prepared to ask questions and discuss your health history can help you make the most of your annual exam.” Breaux Rogers shared some questions to consider the next time you visit your obstetrician-gynecologist.
AGES 21 TO 40
Is my menstrual cycle normal? Jot down how often and how long your monthly periods are so you can discuss with your doctor. Report any unusual pain, heavy bleeding, spotting or cramping. Should I get the HPV vaccine? The HPV vaccine is recommended for females and males ages 11 to 26 to help prevent HPV infections, cervical cancers and genital warts. However, some individuals up to age 45 may still benefit from the vaccine.* Do I need a Pap test? A Pap test is recommended to screen for cervical cancers starting at age 21.* What about birth control? If you’re already using birth control, report any side effects to your doctor. If you’re interested in starting birth control, ask about your options and any potential risks and benefits.
How long should it take to get pregnant? If you’re thinking about having a baby, ask about diet, exercise, supplements and other ways to work toward a healthy pregnancy. Let your obstetriciangynecologist know how long you’ve been trying to conceive. Your doctor may recommend fertility testing, if: You’re younger than 35 and have been trying to conceive for a year. You’re older than 35 and haven’t conceived after six months. Is my vaginal discharge normal? Don’t hesitate to report unusual discharge or vaginal discharge with an odor. You may need to be tested for a sexually transmitted disease, depending on your symptoms and sexual history.
AGES 40 TO 60
How often should I have a mammogram? The American College of Radiology recommends that women with an average risk for breast cancer begin an annual screening mammogram at age 40. Discuss risk factors, such as family history, with your obstetrician-gynecologist. They may recommend starting earlier or even suggest genetic testing. How can I deal with urine leakage? Women, especially those who have given birth vaginally, may experience stress incontinence. “Sometimes incontinence can occur during exercise, sudden coughing, sneezing or laughing,” Breaux Rogers explained. “Don’t be embarrassed. Ask about treatments that may relieve symptoms and improve your quality of life.” Am I going through perimenopause? Report any possible symptoms, such as hot flashes, mood changes, vaginal dryness and sleep disturbances. Your obstetriciangynecologist can explain the changes your body will go through as you move
To Find an Obstetrician-Gynecologist
toward menopause and discuss ways to ease symptoms.
AGES 60 AND OLDER
How are my bones doing? Most women should have a bone density test at age 65 to check their risk for osteoporosis. “There are some indications for early bone health screening, such as low BMI or history of early menopause, so be sure to ask your doctor about testing,” Breaux Rogers added. “Treatments are available to help stop bone loss or even encourage bone growth.” Should I continue Pap tests? After you’ve had negative tests for many years, you may no longer need Pap tests unless you show symptoms of cervical cancer. Do I still need breast cancer screening? There is no defined upper age limit at which mammography ceases to be beneficial. Your doctor may recommend continuing mammograms even after age 75 so long as you are in good health, able to undergo the examination, and willing to undergo additional testing, including biopsy, if an abnormality is detected.
ALL AGES
“If your obstetrician-gynecologist is your primary care doctor, ask about any other necessary health screenings, such as blood pressure and cholesterol checks, and any recommended immunizations,” Breaux Rogers noted.
EACH WOMAN IS UNIQUE
It’s not unheard of to have a late-age pregnancy or an early start to perimenopause, so consider these age categories simply a guide. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about any concerns or issues you may be having and be sure to follow your age appropriate women’s health screening schedule. * Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Call 936.270.3333 or visit houstonmethodist.org/womens-services to find an obstetrician-gynecologist at Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital.
4 LEADING MEDICINE FROM HOUSTON METHODIST THE WOODLANDS HOSPITAL
Recovery After Robotic-Assisted Knee Replacement
GET BACK TO YOUR LIFE FASTER
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our mobility can affect every aspect of life, from your ability to work, take care of responsibilities at home and enjoy recreational activities. When knee pain prevents you from living life to the fullest, it’s time to seek out solutions. “Knee replacement surgery can be life changing when you’re able to restore function and relieve Raheel Ali, MD pain,” said Dr. Raheel Ali, orthopedic surgeon with Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at The Woodlands. “Undergoing knee replacement surgery is a big decision, and it’s important to know what to expect. There are innovative advances in the area of total knee arthroplasty that have improved patient outcomes.”
ADVANCEMENTS IN KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY Innovative surgical techniques, such as robotic-assisted surgery, can improve the precision of knee replacement surgery, with the goal of helping patients recover and get back on their feet faster. “The field of orthopedic surgery is continuously evolving with new technology, and we provide our patients with the best potential outcomes by leading medicine through technologic advances such as robotics,” Ali said. “With robotic surgery, probes are placed through pins in the tibia and femur bone. These probes guide the surgeon in making precise cuts to restore alignment and improve function in the knee,” Ali explained. “The surgeon controls the surgical movements while the robot provides on-demand, quantifiable data to help us address issues related to knee stability.”
HELPING YOU RECOVER
Technology makes it possible to perform knee replacement surgery with potentially better patient outcomes and long-term longevity of knee implants. “Robotic-assisted surgery offers
enhanced precision to perform minimally invasive procedures with less manipulation of the bone and potentially less disruption of soft tissue,” Ali added. Other potential benefits of roboticassisted surgery include: A customized approach to knee replacement with surgical decisions based on each patient’s specific anatomy Greater accuracy intra-operatively resulting in a stable knee replacement Faster, short-term recovery
EVALUATE YOUR KNEE PAIN
Although there are many benefits to robotic-assisted knee surgery, every patient’s case is different, and it may not be an option for everyone. Topical and oral anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, injections and other conservative treatments are usually the first line of defense in treating knee pain secondary to arthritis. “If conservative treatments haven’t worked and you still have debilitating knee pain, knee replacement surgery may be an option,” Ali noted.
Schedule a Joint Consultation
A joint consultation with an orthopedic specialist at Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at The Woodlands can help identify the cause of your knee pain and options for treatment. To schedule a consultation, visit houstonmethodist.org/osm/woodlands or call 936.321.8000.
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Team Up With Your Doctor for Better Health W hen it comes to your health, your primary care provider is your quarterback. They have a big-picture view and understanding of Zummera your overall health, and Bhatti, MD they can help you make the right moves to stay healthy. “Building a relationship with your primary care provider is essential for your health,” said Dr. Zummera Bhatti, a primary care, internal medicine physician with Houston Methodist Primary Care Group at The Woodlands. Partnering with your primary care provider can help you tackle health problems and stay healthy through the ups and downs of life.
IT’S A TEAM EFFORT
Here are some ways to make the most of your health visits and build a winning relationship with your provider. Find a primary care provider. Look for a doctor who is board-certified, speaks your preferred language
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and offers convenient appointments in a location near you. Above all, you should choose a doctor you trust who listens and makes you feel comfortable. Schedule an annual exam. It’s important to schedule an annual checkup even when you feel fine health-wise. Annual checkups help you stay on top of your health, making it possible to prevent and detect problems early. Identify communication barriers. Resources are available if you or a loved one struggles with hearing, understanding or remembering what is said in your health visits. Bringing a loved one along to your appointment may help you better understand the information shared by your doctor while providing emotional support, if needed. Contact the doctor’s office to let them know if you need help with communication or would like to have a family member or friend join you for your appointment. Share your health history. Managing your health is easier when you build a relationship with a
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Put Your Health First
Prioritize your health by making an appointment with a primary care provider. Convenient appointments are available at a location near you. Schedule an appointment with a doctor at Houston Methodist Primary Care Group at The Woodlands by visiting houstonmethodist.org/pcg/north or by calling 713.394.6724.
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A CHECKLIST FOR YOUR NEXT CHECKUP
primary care provider who knows you and your health history. Your doctor may recommend health screening tests based on your age, personal or family health history, and other factors. For example, if you have a family history of heart disease, stroke, diabetes or cancer, your doctor may emphasize ways to prevent disease and recommend screening tests to help detect disease early. Be open and honest. There’s no reason to hold back information because you’re worried or embarrassed. Your primary care provider is there to support you in improving your health, not to pass judgment on your decisions. The doctor-patient relationship is ironclad in its confidentiality, with many ethical, professional and legal standards that protect it. Having open and honest conversations about your health helps your doctor better serve your health care needs.
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Talk about mental health. Your primary care doctor can help with mental health concerns, including screening and treatment for depression and anxiety. Your doctor can also connect you with referrals to therapy, counseling or specialized care. Ask about vaccines. Your primary doctor can be a great resource to help you understand which vaccines are recommended for you and when to get them. It’s important to have these conversations with your doctor so you can make informed decisions based on the latest medical guidance. Set goals for your health. If you want to lose weight, quit smoking or make other healthy changes, your doctor can help you get started. “Your chances of success improve when you have medical support for making big changes to your health,” Bhatti said.
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Going to the doctor for a yearly checkup is an important part of your health routine. Here’s a checklist to help you prepare for your next visit: Ask about screenings or vaccinations. When scheduling your appointment, find out whether you’re due for any shots or tests. Knowing in advance helps so that you’re mentally and physically prepared — especially if there are any special instructions to follow, such as fasting before a cholesterol test. Review your family medical history. Your doctor may ask about any new diseases or conditions that have occurred in your close relatives since your last visit. If needed, write down notes about your family health history to share with your doctor. Write down a list of questions. When you’re in the doctor’s office, it can be hard to remember everything. Having a list of questions prepared ahead of time can help you make sure you get answers to all your questions. Bring a list of medications. Your doctor’s office will ask about the current medications you’re taking, including all prescription and over-thecounter medications as well as herbs, vitamins and other dietary supplements.
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Aching Legs Could Be a Warning Sign of Vascular Disease
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re you suffering from chronic pain, aches and fatigue in your legs? Does it interfere with your walking, or cause pain even when you’re resting? Recurring Joseph M. or persistent pain in your Besho, MD legs may be a sign that your vascular system, the network of veins and arteries that carries blood to and from your organs, is not working well. “Peripheral vascular disease, which is often caused by clogged arteries, leading to narrowing and eventually to complete blockage often is the cause of leg pain,” said Dr. Joseph M. Besho, a vascular surgeon with Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center at The Woodlands. Before you can be diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease, your doctor will take a careful history, perform a focused physical exam and will often obtain imaging, such as a noninvasive arterial test (similar to a blood pressure test but done on the leg), an ultrasound, a CT scan or an angiogram. “Your doctor will also rule out other nonvascular conditions that can lead to leg pain, such as arthritis,” added Besho.
RESTORING BLOOD FLOW
If your doctor determines that leg pain is a result of a narrowing of the arteries in your legs, treatment may include one or more of the following: L ifestyle changes. Your doctor may suggest taking steps to improve the underlying condition, such as quitting smoking; reaching and maintaining a healthy weight; exercising; and controlling high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and diabetes. M edications. Your doctor may prescribe cholesterol-lowering medications and blood pressure medications to reduce major risks to your cardiovascular health. They may also prescribe blood thinners and other medications to prevent
See Your Doctor
Whatever the cause of your leg pain, it’s important to see a doctor. With today’s medical advances in vascular disease, you can recover quickly from treatments and get back to enjoying life without leg pain. Call 936.270.3333 or visit houstonmethodist.org/debakey/woodlands to schedule an appointment with a cardiologist or vascular specialist at Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center at The Woodlands. blood clots, widen blood vessels and relieve symptoms. A ngioplasty. A tiny balloon is threaded into the artery to the point of blockage and then inflated to restore normal vessel size and blood flow. S tents. Small, hollow-mesh tubes are placed in the arteries to keep them from closing again. Stents are frequently used in combination with angioplasty. Th rombolytic therapy. This technique involves injecting a clot-busting drug into the artery to break up a blood clot that is causing poor blood flow. E ndarterectomy. The surgical removal of plaque is done to improve blood flow in a blocked artery. B ypass surgery. Surgeons use some of your own veins or artificial grafts to create a detour around the blocked area.
8 LEADING MEDICINE FROM HOUSTON METHODIST THE WOODLANDS HOSPITAL
VARICOSE VEINS AND LEG PAIN
Sometimes it’s not your arteries, but your veins that are at fault. “Tiny spider veins that are visible on the surface of the skin are often harmless, but varicose veins, which can show under the skin as bulging or twisting clusters, can cause leg pain and heaviness,” Besho explained. Depending on the severity, your doctor may recommend that you wear surgical compression stockings whenever you are standing. These compression stockings augment the drainage of blood from the legs to the heart. Elevating your legs while you rest also helps. “Large clusters of varicose veins may need to be removed surgically or treated with a laser or injections,” Besho added.
When Bad Posture Leads to Pain
3 At-Home Work-Desk Mistakes to Avoid R emember when you could sit or nap in a weird, contorted position for hours on end and not even feel it afterward? Now, you just stare at a computer screen for 40 hours every week — and some weeks, you definitely feel it (in your neck, back, shoulders, wrists or hands).
Kenneth Palmer, MD
WHY POSTURE IS IMPORTANT
“Your spine is the reference point and attachment site for every major muscle in your body, helping to efficiently balance and support your body weight,” said Dr. Kenneth Palmer, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in spine surgery at Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at The Woodlands. Proper alignment of your spine hinges on maintaining a posture that keeps your spine balanced, allowing your muscles to do their best work. “A few good rules of thumb to follow while sitting, in particular, are to keep your back straight, head forward, shoulders back, feet touching the floor and core muscles actively engaged,” Palmer said. Even with good posture, there are other mistakes you can make while setting up your at-home work desk — all of which could be sabotaging your proper posture efforts.
MISTAKE #1
Your monitor isn’t in line with your keyboard. If your feet and hips are pointed at your keyboard but your head is twisted, even slightly, to focus on your monitor, it can overwork the muscles in your neck. Tilting your head up and down can overwork these muscles, too — so be sure your monitor is at eye level, or slightly below it.
How to fix it: Make sure your keyboard and mouse are in line with your monitor. If you have more than one monitor, position the screens in a way that limits head rotation.
MISTAKE #2
Your mouse and keyboard are too high. If your keyboard and mouse are too high, it can cause you to scrunch your shoulders upwards and flex your elbows above a 90-degree angle. “These adjustments force your shoulder and arm muscles to work much harder, leading to faster muscle fatigue and ultimately resulting in neck, arm and/or wrist pain,” Palmer added. How to fix it: Make sure both your keyboard and mouse are at a height that allows your elbows to rest comfortably at your side and your wrists gently on your work surface, keeping a bend in your elbow that falls slightly below 90 degrees.
MISTAKE #3
You’re sitting at your desk more than you’re standing. You’ve seen the fancy standing desks, and it turns out that there’s good reason for their popularity. “The benefit of standing while doing computer work is that it allows you to keep your spine in normal alignment, meaning your muscles have to work the least,” Palmer explained. “Simply standing while doing computer work isn’t enough though. You still need to move around while standing— make sure you’re shuffling your feet from time to time or doing light standing stretches for your legs, arms and neck.” How to fix it: If you do sit at your computer for your work, just be sure to take frequent, short breaks. By standing up and moving around, you can help reset your posture and give your muscles a break.
Get Relief for Pain
If you have neck, back, leg or wrist pain that won’t go away, and you know your work desk arrangement and your posture are correct, it’s time to see an orthopedic specialist for an evaluation. An orthopedic specialist at Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at The Woodlands can help identify the cause of your pain and discuss options for treatment. To schedule a consultation, visit houstonmethodist.org/osm/woodlands or call 936.321.8000.
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FIGHTING CANCER WITH YOUR FORK D oes what you eat really make a difference in your risk for cancer? Many experts agree that making better choices about what you put on your plate is one way to protect against the cell changes, or mutations, that can lead to cancer. Although some risks for cancer are out of your control, choosing a healthy diet is one way to Peter Morgan, take action. MD “A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans may help prevent some types of cancer,” said Dr. Peter Morgan, radiation oncologist at Houston Methodist Cancer Center at The Woodlands. “Many of these foods contain important vitamins and minerals that can work together in an overall diet to offer some cancer protection.”
YOUR DIET AND CANCER RISK
Antioxidants are important nutrients like beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, and vitamins A, C and E. These healthy nutrients are abundant in fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains.
“Antioxidants help protect body cells from damage caused by unstable molecules, called free radicals,” added Morgan. “Because free radicals can damage DNA, they may play a role in the development of cancer, so we’re looking at how antioxidants may help protect against cancer.” More research is needed to understand the links between diet and cancer, but there’s some evidence to suggest that antioxidants and other nutrients in foods may fight cancer by: Destroying free radicals that damage DNA, which can lead to cancer Helping to eliminate carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) Blocking the activation of carcinogens
SOURCES OF ANTIOXIDANTS
Here’s where you can find antioxidants in foods: Vitamin A: liver, dairy products, eggs and fish liver oil. It’s also converted from carotenoids, found in dark red, green and yellow vegetables Vitamin C: citrus fruits, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, leafy vegetables, strawberries and potatoes
10 LEADING MEDICINE FROM HOUSTON METHODIST THE WOODLANDS HOSPITAL
itamin D: milk, cold-water fish, egg yolks and liver V Vitamin E: avocado, coconut or olive oils; sweet potatoes; avocados; nuts; sunflower seeds and soybeans Allyl sulfides: garlic, onions, shallots, leeks, chives and scallions Carotenoids: apricots, papaya, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, mangoes, carrots, pumpkin, red peppers, spinach, corn and cantaloupe Catechins: green tea and berries Flavonoids: parsley, carrots, citrus fruits, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, soybeans and berries Folate: avocados; bananas; orange juice; cold cereal; asparagus; green, leafy vegetables; dried beans; peas; and yeast Lycopene: cooked tomato products, watermelon and pink grapefruit
CANCER-FIGHTING GROCERY LIST Here’s a list of superfoods for your next grocery trip. Apples F laxseed P eas Blueberries G arlic S quash Broccoli G rapefruit S trawberries Cherries G rapes T omatoes Coffee G reen Tea W alnuts Cranberries K ale W hole Dry Beans L entils Grains
FOODS TO KNOW
Morgan recommends eating at least five servings of fruit and vegetables each day. “A colorful plate means you’re likely getting a wider variety of healthy nutrients that may fight cancer,” explained Morgan. “Try to fill two-thirds of your plate with organic plant-based foods.” Here are some cancer-fighting foods you may want to add to your shopping cart: Berries — Fruits like strawberries and blueberries are loaded with antioxidants, which have cancer-fighting properties. Tomatoes — Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful plant compound that may protect against prostate cancer. Whole grains — Whole grains can help reduce your risk of colon cancer. Be sure to check ingredient labels on breads and other grains and look for the words “100% whole grain.” Red-orange fruits and vegetables — Foods, such as butternut squash and sweet potatoes, are rich in beta carotene, which acts as an antioxidant to help protect cells from damage. Coffee — Your morning cup of java contains a variety of plant compounds that may be protective for some cancers. Green, leafy vegetables — Kale, spinach, romaine lettuce and other green, leafy vegetables are excellent sources of fiber, lutein and flavonoids. These substances may help protect against mouth, pharynx and larynx cancers. Green tea — Laboratory studies have suggested that green tea may help slow the development of colon, liver, breast and prostate cancers.
FOODS TO LIMIT
Grilled and red meats — Red meat has been linked to colorectal and other cancers. Grilling meat over high heat can additionally form cancer-causing agents. Instead, opt for grilled vegetables, which do not create carcinogens when exposed to high heat.
Leading Cancer Care
To learn more about Houston Methodist Cancer Center at The Woodlands, visit houstonmethodist.org/cancer-woodlands or call 936.270.3333.
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Feeling sick?
GET CARE NOW
Houston Methodist offers safe, quick access to high-quality care — so you can feel better now. Sniffles got you down? Whether you’re suffering from the flu, a cold, a skin rash or even pink eye, we are here for you with a variety of ways to get care quickly, including:
VIRTUAL URGENT CARE 24/7 on-demand video visits through the MyMethodist app
SAME DAY CLINICS Same-day sick visits for many common health conditions
PRIMARY CARE GROUP Quick access to primary care doctors for existing patients
And, with enhanced safety measures in place at all our locations, you can rest assured your safety is our priority. houstonmethodist.org/care-options
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