- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMay is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, making it a good time to brush up on skin cancer facts. So, before you put dibs on your lounge chair for the pool season, learn more about how to spot — and prevent — skin cancer, using these tips from Dr. Walid El Ayass, medical oncologist at the Luminis Health Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. After months of doing more hiding than shining, the sun’s finally coming out to play. Sunshine in the right doses is good for us—it increases serotonin, the brain’s mood-boosting hormone that helps us feel calm and focused. It also boosts vitamin D, which helps keep bones strong. But heavy doses of sunshine? It turns out that “too much of a good thing” can cause skin cancer. What are the Types of Skin Cancer? There are several types of skin cancer. The most common ones are melanoma and basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, known as nonmelanoma skin cancer. These cancers develop in the top layer of skin (the epidermis), in areas that get the most sun exposure, like the face, ears, neck, arms and hands. Basal Cell Carcinoma About 80% of skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas. They start in the deeper part of the epidermis in those sun-exposed areas. They’re usually raised, pearly bumps that grow slowly. They rarely spread to other parts of the body, but without treatment, basal cell carcinoma can spread deeper into the skin to the bone. Squamous Cell Carcinoma These cancers start in the upper layer of the epidermis. Along with sun-exposed areas, squamous cell cancers can develop in scars or chronic skin sores. They often look like a rough, scaly, reddish patch. They’re more likely to grow faster and spread than basal cell cancer but can usually be removed or treated and cured. Melanoma Melanoma is less common than other cancers, and it’s more dangerous. If not caught early and treated, it’s more likely to spread to other parts of the body. Melanoma starts in the cells that give skin its tan or brown color, so time in the sun plays a big role. What Are the Risks of Developing Skin Cancer? Most people don’t realize that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the time they’re 70. Anyone can get skin cancer, but some factors put you at greater risk: A family history of melanoma A history of blistering sunburns as a child or teen Blond or red hair Blue or green eyes Certain types of moles Exposure to UV rays from sunlight or indoor tanning over a long period A light complexion What are the Signs of Skin Cancer? Skin cancer is the only type of cancer you can see. That means you can and should be on the lookout for it. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends doing head-to-toe self-exams every month. When it comes to looking for skin cancer, remember these three words as your guide: New: Look for new growths, moles or blemishes (especially if you’re over age 21). Changing: Check if growths are changing in size, color, shape or texture. Unusual: Keep an eye out for growths or moles with an unusual outline that itch, hurt, crust or bleed for more than three weeks. If you see something, do something – talk with your primary care provider. Remember, skin cancer is curable if found early. How can I Reduce my Risk of Skin Cancer? It’s no secret sun that exposure is the main culprit when it comes to pegging a cause of skin cancer. About 90% of nonmelanoma skin cancers and 86% of melanomas are linked to UV light exposure from the sun. The good news? Reducing your risk of skin cancer doesn’t mean giving up the great outdoors. You can reduce your risk with some simple habits: Don’t use tanning beds, booths or sunlamps. Enjoy the sun from under an umbrella, especially between 10:00 am – 2 pm when the sun is strongest. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher every day. (You get damaging UV rays even on cloudy days.) When you’re in the sun or water, reapply it every two hours. Wear sun-protective clothing, UVA- and UVB-blocking sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats. Authors Dr. Walid El Ayass is a medical oncologist at the Luminis Health Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. He specializes in treating breast and gastrointestinal malignancies. To make an appointment with Dr. El Ayass, please call 443-481-4884.0
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnnapolis, MD — Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC) has once again been recognized as a High Performing Hospital for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report. This prestigious designation highlights LHAAMC’s commitment to delivering high-quality care for expectant parents and their growing families. “Since arriving at Luminis Health this fall, I have been impressed and inspired by our physicians, nurse midwives, nurses, nurse practitioners, technologists, and the entire care team for their dedication to delivering high-quality maternity care,” said Catherine Maloney, Luminis Health’s chief operating officer and president of LHAAMC. “It’s clear to me that our caregivers don’t just provide care, they uplift families and strengthen our entire community.” This recognition comes during the 30th anniversary of the Clatanoff Pavilion, a cornerstone of maternity care at LHAAMC since its opening in 1995. Over the past three decades, the Thomas J. Frank Family Birth Center has welcomed roughly 150,000 babies, becoming a trusted and cherished place for families across the region. U.S. News evaluated 899 hospitals from across the United States for its latest ratings. Hospitals were evaluated on objective measures on quality, including: C-section delivery rates Severe unexpected newborn complication rates Rates of routine vaginal birth after c-section Implementation of best practices to support breast milk feeding Exclusive breast milk feeding rates Whether each hospital met new federal criteria for “birthing-friendly” practices Reporting on outcome disparities Episiotomy rates “We are honored to be recognized among the nation’s top-performing maternity hospitals,” said Dr. Monica Jones, System Chair for Luminis Health Women’s and Children’s Services. “This achievement speaks to how well our teams work together across the system to provide consistent, reliable care. At the heart of our approach is a deep commitment to patient preferences and shared decision-making. By listening closely to the patients and families we serve and engaging them as partners, we are able to provide culturally customized, respectful maternal care. These elements—safety, reliability, and personalization—come together to drive better outcomes for all.” In addition to its Maternity Care recognition, LHAAMC was recently named a High Performing hospital by U.S. News & World Report in seven specialties for common procedures, including cardiac care, cancer services, and orthopedics. These accolades further reinforce LHAAMC’s role as a trusted leader in delivering exceptional, comprehensive care to the communities it has served for more than 120 years.0
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMany young people are excited to return to normal after living in quarantine for over a year. The isolation and disruption to our lives has plagued Generation Z with chronic stress, leaving harmful effects like depression. Triggering thoughts such as, “Am I a risk to my friends and family?” or “When can I get back to work?” are especially distressing to this generation. When will life return to normal? Our experts have you covered with helpful facts. COVID-19 Immunity Does Not Last Forever Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a study and found immunity lasts for a short amount of time. The study looked at 156 U.S. health care workers who had COVID-19. Participants received an antibody test about a month after developing symptoms, then a second one 60 days later. The study found 94% of the participants had fewer antibodies at the 60-day mark, while 28% experienced a major decrease in antibodies. Those who have had a mild case of COVID-19 often do not develop a detectable antibody response at all. Do not assume you might be immune to COVID-19 just because you have already had it. The Vaccine is Our Greatest Defense Against Variants Viruses are constantly changing. Mutations and new variants emerge over time. Now, at least four new variants are in the U.S. are cause for alarm. These new variants seem to spread easier and faster than the original strain. According to the CDC, most vaccines appear to be effective against these variants. Immunity from natural infection of COVID-19 might not be able to withstand these mutations the same way. Vaccination is our greatest weapon against mutated variants and long-term complications from the virus. Not to mention allowing you to visit and be out in public more safely. You Play a Role in Protecting Others from getting COVID-19 According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the nation is now seeing a large number of young people diagnosed with COVID-19. These cases are requiring hospitalization and occasionally lead to death. Young adults should do their part to help peers understand the importance of the vaccine and the impact of being vaccinated has not only you, but your friends and family as well. Staying away from other people is important when you are sick with COVID-19. Receiving the vaccine is also a huge benefit to you and others in your community. While we are all excited and anxious to return to our lives, we are not in the clear yet. Before things feel like they are back to normal, many more people need to be vaccinated. It’s important for all of us to get the vaccine to protect family members, society and ourselves. Together, all generations can come together and eliminate this deadly disease for good. In April, Maryland moved to phase three of its vaccination distribution plan, which means all Marylanders 16 and up are now eligible for vaccination. If you would like more information on how to make an appointment with Luminis Health, visit here. If you are a young adult who has questions or concerns about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit CDC.gov for more information. Authors Jean Murray is system director of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology for Luminis Health.0
- ConditionConditions/Services/Treatments PageIf you're noticing pain in your jaw or face, locked jaw or popping sounds, you likely have a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Physical therapy can help patients avoid surgery, recover from surgery for TMD and help to manage chronic pain associated with TMD.What are Temporomandibular Joint Disorders?TMD strains the joint that connects the skull to the lower jaw, as well as nearby muscles and nerves. TMDs can happen due to injury, arthritis, grinding/clenching, stress or an improper bite.These little joints can cause big problems. Some estimates suggest 10 million Americans have TMD. Over time, TMD can cause facial, neck, head and ear pain. It can also limit how much you move your neck and open your mouth, and make chewing painful.Fortunately, our physical therapists at Luminis Health can help you regain mobility and live free of TMD pain.0
- Men's Health, Uncategorized, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIt was a sunny evening in May when Roger and Mary LeBlanc got a call telling them that their son had been in a serious car accident. Their daughter-in-law did not survive and their son, Matthew, sustained a severe head injury. Roger and Mary stayed with Matthew for two months at a hospital in Wisconsin where the accident occurred. They had planned to continue caring for him at their home in Boston, but Matthew wanted to return to his life in Maryland. Although he was recovering, he wasn’t ready to be on his own. The Hackerman-Patz House gave Dad and Matthew a supportive home away-from-home near the hospital while they transitioned through a difficult time. Being at the Hackerman-Patz house allowed me to take care of Matt 100 percent of the time and it increased the pace of his recovery. When we got here, Matt had two to three medical appointments a day. At that point he couldn’t walk across the street by himself. He had about 30 minutes of energy and he needed about six hours of rest to get to the next appointment. He would wake up, walk to an appointment with me, come back and go to bed. Then he’d get up, eat a meal and go to another appointment. There’s no way we could have made it through the day without the Hackerman-Patz house—without that ability to literally walk across the street to make that happen. We would have had to stretch out the appointments, because he couldn’t physically do it. It’s an incredibly reasonable price, too. Being at the Hackerman-Patz house was unbelievable and the volunteer staff treated us like gold. It was like being in a second home. From a family standpoint, to be able to step out of the room and sit and watch TV and write a letter, to do laundry, these are the things you take for granted. After two weeks of staying in the House, we moved into Matt’s apartment and started going to appointments from there. It’s been about nine months now, and his mental capacity and his cognitive skills are 100 percent now. You’d never know he has a big piece of plastic in his head holding his skull together. It’s probably going to take him another year before he builds up his stamina, but he’s back to work about six hours a day. I can’t say enough good things about the Hackerman-Patz house, but even more so, it’s indicative of what the hospital thinks is important. That they allow and support a Hackerman-Patz to be built is one of the best reasons why Matt’s going to recover.0
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