AUSTIN

Gregg Michael Scott, 52, a Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender, is now in custody after being arrested Tuesday in San Antonio by the U.S. Marshals Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force. Scott was wanted for Parole Violation and Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Requirements. Scott, last seen in Houston in 2011, was a high-risk sex offender with a lengthy criminal history, which included a conviction for fondling a 15-year-old girl. This arrest was not the result of a tip and no reward will be paid. So far in 2013, DPS and other agencies have arrested four Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders, and $10,000 in rewards has been paid for tips that resulted in arrests. The cash rewards are funded by the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division. The following link, http://www.dps.texas.gov/Texas10MostWanted/video/tipsterVideo.htm, explains the steps on how to submit a tip regarding a Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive or Sex Offender and/or how to receive a reward once the fugitive is captured. Anyone with information can provide anonymous tips in four different ways: • Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477). • Text the letters DPS—followed by your tip—to 274637 (CRIMES) from your cell phone. • Submit a web tip through the DPS website by selecting the fugitive you have information about, and then clicking on the link under their picture. • Submit a Facebook tip at http://www.facebook.com/texas10mostwanted by clicking the “SUBMIT A TIP” link (under the “About” section). All calls, texts, e-mails and Facebook messages are anonymous. DPS investigators work with local law enforcement agencies to select fugitives featured in the Texas 10 Most Wanted Program. To view the current lists—with photos—visit the DPS website at http://www.dps.texas.gov/texas10mostwanted/. Do not attempt to apprehend these fugitives; they are considered armed and dangerous.

Flu season is picking up steam across Texas. Widespread influenza has reached epidemic levels in the state, killing six children so far this flu season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Texas physicians urge people six months and older to get the flu vaccine if they haven’t already, and to take precautions to stop the spread of this deadly disease. “This year is much worse than last year,” said Jason Terk, MD, a Keller pediatrician and chair of the Texas Medical Association (TMA) Council on Science and Public Health. “This year the flu arrived early and sickened more people than past years,” he added. “The predominant flu type this year is called H3N2, and people seem not to have as good immunity from this type as from other flu strains.” “Years when this strain predominates are usually bad flu seasons,” said Dr. Terk, a TMA Be Wise — ImmunizeSM advocate. Be Wise — Immunize aims to vaccinate Texans and educate people about the importance of protecting against disease through immunization. However, it’s not too late to get vaccinated and protect yourself and your loved ones from this potentially deadly disease, he said. “The flu vaccine is the best way to reduce your chances of getting sick from any one of the flu viruses that circulate every year. It also helps the people who live and work around you because getting vaccinated boosts community immunity.” (When more people are vaccinated, fewer people get sick and spread the bug to those who are not vaccinated.) Physicians say the flu shot is just as effective whether you got it in October or you get it now in January, though it takes about two weeks for vaccine to help someone develop resistance to the flu. One shot protects an individual for the entire flu season, which runs from October through May. “Everyone who is 6 months of age or older should get a vaccination against the flu every year,” said Dr. Terk. “Children, especially those under the age of 2 years, as well as the elderly, pregnant women, and those with underlying health conditions are at increased risk for complications from flu — so much so, they could die.” That additional vulnerability to the flu is why physicians characterize these as high-risk groups. For those who develop mild flu-like symptoms, physicians say stay home to prevent spreading the illness to others, and drink plenty of fluids. Contact your doctor if you have severe symptoms or if you are sick and are in one of the high-risk groups. There are medications to treat the flu, and the CDC recommends the use of antiviral medications to treat influenza, starting as early as possible after becoming sick. But doctors urge Texans to take precautions to avoid getting sick in the first place: Cover your mouth with a tissue or your elbow when you sneeze; wash your hands often; stay away from people who are sick; and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. But the flu shot might be the best defense. “Protect your family, yourself, and those around you. Get a flu vaccination. It is safe and effective,” said Dr. Terk. TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 47,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 120 component county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans.

HOUSTON

Women with a family history of breast and ovarian cancer should make education about the disease and their risk for it a priority, said a breast oncologist and genetic counselor from the Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center at Baylor College of Medicine. “Breast cancer genetic research is advancing rapidly,” said Dr. Julie Nangia, an assistant professor in the Smith Breast Center. “Providing more education on breast and ovarian cancer prevention in high-risk women is a top priority in the breast cancer community.” “Identifying high-risk women is key to early detection/prevention and saves lives,” said Nangia. “Women who have a strong family history may be at a high risk to develop cancer.” Additionally, there are known genetic mutations that may significantly increase the risk for breast and ovarian cancer, said Zentack. “Testing is available to identify mutations for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.” Genetic experts such as Zentack help assess the need for testing. “We consider multiple factors when deciding which family members of breast cancer patients should be tested, including the type of cancer, age and how close the relation is,” said Zentack. Carriers of the BRCA mutation should be aggressively screened and consider preventative surgeries, Nangia said. They should also be offered preventative medications such as chemoprevention with tamoxifen or raloxifene, which can reduce breast cancer risk by 50 percent. Lifestyle changes such as reducing alcohol intake and maintaining a healthy weight and exercise schedule are also important behaviors to reduce risk for all women.