Texas Tech Health Check

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 2015-2019 Black men were 1.2 times and 1.7 times, respectively, more likely to have new cases of colon and prostate cancer, as compared to non-Hispanic white men. Additionally, they have lower 5-year cancer survival rates for most cancer sites, as compared to non-Hispanic white men. We’re a few weeks past Men’s Health Month, but you should encourage the men (and women) in your life to get screened anytime of the year, especially for colorectal cancer. Our guest for this episode is Izi Obokhare, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians surgeon. He is the principal investigator for a grant project, Get FIT to Stay Fit program, which provides free kits for at home colorectal cancer screening. It is a grant-funded program through the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT).

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Suicide is one of the top three leading causes of death among children, youth and young adults under the age of 34. Adolescents who have had negative life experiences can be more prone to suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts. It's something that we need to talk about more openly, says Natalie Scanlon, Ph.D., assistant professor and clinical psychologist in the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine. Dr. Scanlon tells us what warning signs to look out for, how to help someone who is struggling and where to get help. 

Free and confidential services:

• The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Lifeline Chat is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Spanish language: Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 1-888-628-9454.

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June is National Men's Health Month and our guests for this episode talked to us about testosterone. Pranav Sharma, M.D., division chief of urologic oncology, and clinical medical director and Melissa Bowyer, APRN, both in the Bernhard Mittemeyer Clinic at TTUHSC, explained what testosterone is and what it does and doesn't do, what causes low testosterone, what happens when someone starts testosterone replacement and what the process is before starting a patient on therapy. 

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For this special episode, we invited members of our university’s leadership to discuss health care and health sciences education in the past couple of years and what we can expect in the next few years as well. Guest host: TTUHSC President Lori Rice-Spearman, Ph.D.

Guests: Ron Cook, D.O., MBA, TTUHSC chief health officer and chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine; Sherry Sancibrian, Grover E. Murray Professor and associate dean for accreditation for the School of Health Professions; Brandt Schneider, Ph.D., dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Charles Seifert, Pharm.D., regional dean for the Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy; and Amanda Veesart, Ph.D., R.N., associate dean for the School of Nursing. 

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It’s the unofficial start of summer around here which means there is also the potential for injuries from burns. John Griswold, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians burn surgeon and medical director for the Timothy J. Harnar Burn Center. Dr. Griswold shares with us the kinds of burns he sees more often during the summer months and how we can avoid them. He also tells us how to treat less severe burns at home and when we should head to the emergency room. 

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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (or ADHD) has been trending in the news and on social media. Many adults were diagnosed with ADHD over the COVID-19 pandemic, giving them answers to behavior they might not have been aware were symptoms of ADHD. Esther Schwartz, Ph.D., staff psychologist in the department of family and community medicine, is our guest for this episode. She explains the symptoms, testing and treatments for ADHD and how it’s not something that develops overnight. 

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Child abuse and neglect are serious public health problems and adverse childhood experiences that can have long-term impacts on health, opportunity and wellbeing. Children with disabilities may be at higher risk for abuse or neglect than children without disabilities.  Patti Patterson, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians pediatrician, tells us what makes children with special needs especially vulnerable to abuse and what we can do to keep these children safe.

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May is Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Awareness Month and our guest this episode, Adaobi Kanu, M.D., answers our questions about CF. Dr. Kanu is pediatric pulmonology CF center director at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. She tells us who is at risk for being diagnosed with CF, how treatments have improved in the past few years, and what you can do to help friends or loved ones with CF.

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You may have heard about these new “weight loss” medications, whether it’s a celebrity or someone you know taking these medications to drop some pounds. Perhaps you’ve heard that some people with diabetes are having a difficult time paying for or finding this medication that they rely on. Either way, you probably have questions. Here to walk us through it is Drew Payne, D.O., internist at Texas Tech Physicians. Dr. Payne explains the differences and similarities of these medications and talks to us about setting a realistic weight loss goal. He also tells us the best way to lose weight, depending on your body, and why your health care provider is the best person to ask for advice on weight loss.

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Get rid of your unused or expired meds at the upcoming Medication Cleanout scheduled for April 22. The event happens twice a year in Lubbock, Amarillo and Abilene, Texas.

Our guest for this episode is Jeanie Shawhart, Pharm.D. She is a pharmacist and managing director of the Texas Panhandle Poison Center. Dr. Shawhart explains why it’s important to get rid of those medication you’re not using anymore, even if you bought them over the counter. And don’t despair if you don’t live in any of those areas or miss the dates for Medication Cleanout. Just search online for “drug take back day” or “national prescription drug take back day” for a drop off location near you.