Reduce Some of the Risks of Cancer During Summer Cookouts

HCAs (heterocyclic amines) and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) can be triggered in meat that is cooked for long periods of time over a high heat. Some of the amino acids and creatinine found in animal muscles produce a reaction that stimulates these cancer-causing compounds. To help reduce the risk of creating the optimal environment for these dangerous compounds at your cookout this year, the following tips may be tried:

• Pre-cook meat to reduce the amount of HCAs by placing it in the microwave or boiling water before cooking the meat on a grill. This will reduce the total cook time and temperature needed.
• Marinating meats reduces the amounts of these compounds as well.
• Reduce the risk of PAHs by trimming the fat and/or using lean meat. PAH levels increase as the fat drips off of the meat and onto the grill. As the smoke rises up from the fat drippings, the PAHs found in the smoke are then cooked right into the meat.
• Don't limit your picnic to grill-only foods.

There are several informative sites on the internet where more information can be obtained about this and similar topics. Visit the links below for a few places to start.
http://www.foodhaccp.com/memberonly/newsletter71.html
http://www.foodhaccp.com/regulation.html
http://www.oznet.k-state.edu/pr_fsaf/images/food0600.pdf
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fsdup107.html
http://health.msn.com/healthnews/ArticlePage.aspx?cp-documentid=100163951

Memorial Day

Memorial Day, celebrated on the last Monday of every May in the United States, is a time of rememberance for our country's men and women who have died in service to America. It is a day to honor the sacrifices these brave Americans portrayed to help keep our country free. For medical transcriptionists, this day might hold memories of medical reports transcribed to preserve the medical record of one or more of these men and women.

Memorial Day is also viewed by many as the unofficial start of summer activities. This becomes a very busy time of the year for health care workers as accident rates begin to soar while more people spend their time on the road, at pools or lakes, at sporting events, and other such activities. Help to keep your family safe this summer by practicing safety rules and precautions. View my previous posts for some of these tips and guidelines as well as links to other informative sites.

Have a happy Memorial Day and a safe summer!

Summer Safety Tips

With the onset of summer vacation, it is a good time to post some safety tips that might help keep you and your children safe as the summer fun begins this year!

• Practice common sense.
• Make clear safety rules for the whole family.
• Learn to swim and/or teach your children how to swim.
• Swim in familiar areas to reduce the risk of potential dangers.
• Set up a secure area for your pool.
• Be aware of where children are. Many lives are lost every year due to accidental drowning.
• Keep rescue equipment and emergency numbers near your pool.
• Wear life jackets.
• Follow all of the rules posted in the area where you and your family are swimming.

These are only a few safety tips. While there are no 100% guarantees that nothing will ever happen, following safety guidelines might prevent serious injury or death for you or for someone you love.

The American Red Cross has an extensive amount of information to educate parents and children about safety. Visit:

http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/tips/healthtips/safetywater.html to learn more!

Medline Plus also offers information and links for more safety tips and related health information. If you follow the link below, you will find:

• Overviews.
• Latest news.
• Information on specific related conditions.
• Information on related issues.
• Tutorials.
• Journal articles.
• Directories.
• A list of other related organizations.
• Statistics.
• Articles regarding health information for children and teenagers.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/watersafetyrecreational.html

Have a safe and happy summer!