- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogA lung cancer diagnosis brings fear. Sadness. Uncertainty. So, how can you support someone with such a heavy load? There’s no single answer. Words can’t fix it, but they can comfort. They can also hurt or make someone feel hopeless, even by accident. Knowing what to say, and what not to say, can make all the difference. Some general things to keep in mind We don’t want you to be so cautious that you avoid your loved one or friend. But there are some general tips to keep in mind when you talk to someone sick. Avoid clichés. They’re impersonal, and they fall flat. Don’t give your friend medical advice. Let your friend’s care team be the experts. And unless asked, don’t share stories of others with lung cancer. You’ll steal the moment and possibly force your friend to compare themselves to someone else. Every journey is different, and your friend might feel badly if they don’t live up to the standards established by someone else. Phrases to avoid Avoid expressions that come off uncaring, like: “Did you smoke?” or “You shouldn’t have done this.” Lung cancer is often associated with smoking, sometimes unfairly. Lots of people who develop lung cancer have never smoked. If you have lungs, you are at risk for lung cancer. Asking about smoking habits or drawing conclusions on how your friend could have avoided lung cancer isn’t helpful. These expressions put the blame on the person who is sick. “I know how you feel.” You don’t. You can empathize, but you really can’t know how this person feels or what they are thinking, even if you’ve had cancer. This seemingly empathetic expression redirects the conversation to you and diminishes the moment for your friend. A form of “Your cancer is treatable,” “Be positive” or “If you have to get lung cancer, that’s the one to get.” These words belittle your friend’s authentic feelings. Being diagnosed is scary, and expressions that misrepresent the severity of cancer can make your friend feel like their concerns aren’t valid. Don’t let emotions bottle up. Sometimes a good cry is the best way to release fears. Telling someone they are strong or brave. They might not feel that way. These words can put pressure on your friend to act courageously for others and might keep them from expressing their fear. Predicting a positive outcome, like “You can beat this” or “Everything will be fine.” You don’t know that. No one does. Say this instead Let your friend guide the conversation. If they don’t want to talk about their illness, talk about something else. If they do discuss their cancer, understand that your friend is inviting you to discuss something very personal. They want to feel hopeful. They want to know that you care for them. And you don’t have to be a wordsmith to offer words of comfort. Instead of trying to think of something profound, try an expression like… “How do you feel today?” Navigating lung cancer is a rollercoaster. Some days are better than others. Ask your friend how they’re feeling in that moment. “How do you feel” is too big a question. Asking about a specific moment is manageable. “What have your doctors told you about treatment options?” Show that you are there for them, even if you can’t be in the doctor’s office. But don’t pry. Follow their lead. “I’m going to be there for you.” And then do it. Many people with lung cancer say the hardest part of their journey is feeling abandoned. Regular check-ins make people feel like they have a champion with them. Again, follow their lead. Some people like daily conversations. Others appreciate a phone call every few weeks, nothing more. No matter how often you check in, being remembered makes the experience less lonesome. “I’m not sure what to say.” People appreciate honesty. Your friend isn’t expecting you to be enlightening. Just present. You can also offer your help. Instead of a vague offer such as “let me know what I can do,” try to think of specific ways you can make life a little easier for them. Offer to bring them groceries on Sundays, cut their grass this week, or drive their child to school. By reducing your friend’s obligations, you can help them focus on their care. Support your friend No matter what you say, or don’t say, being there for your friend is the most important way to show your support. Your friend is the same person they were before their diagnosis. And they need support now more than ever. Learn more about lung cancer treatment here. Authors Stephen Cattaneo, MD, is a thoracic surgeon and medical director of Thoracic Oncology at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.0
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogYou can’t turn on the news or scroll through social media today without hearing about the COVID-19 vaccine. And while we know you’re anxious to put the pandemic behind you, we also know you may have lingering questions about the vaccine. You aren’t alone. Many of your coworkers, family members and neighbors are wrestling with the same questions. We’ve never experienced a pandemic of this magnitude in our lifetimes, and we’ve never seen a vaccine developed this quickly. But investigating the details and unpacking what we know about the vaccine can go a long way in helping you feel more at ease. It’s important to know that multiple COVID-19 vaccines are under development. At this time, Pfizer and Moderna are the only vaccines available in the United States. They are the only COVID-19 vaccines that have received an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Fast doesn’t mean careless. It’s true; this vaccine is one of the fastest developed in modern history. But researchers were not starting from scratch when they learned about SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines. Technology associated with the mRNA vaccine dates back to the 1990s. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), researchers performed early stage clinical trials using mRNA vaccines for HIV, influenza, Zika, rabies, and others. Unfortunately, it has taken a pandemic to get the needed funding to push this technology forward to develop this type of vaccine. It’s also important to note the process has been able to move so quickly because: The clinical trials were centrally coordinated by the government rather than various pharmaceutical agencies. The clinical trials combined the first two phases to assess safety, dosing, and the immune responses. The FDA granted the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines an EUA to allow for quick approval and distribution. Under an EUA, approval is pushed ahead of less critical projects. In order to issue an EUA, FDA must determine the known and potential benefits of the vaccine outweigh its known and potential risks. CDC continues assessing the effectiveness of vaccines approved for an EUA. None of the factors that allowed the accelerated development of a COVID-19 vaccine have compromised safety, scientific or ethical integrity. No short-cuts have been made. The FDA recommends a vaccine have an effectiveness rate of at least 50 percent. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines far exceed this standard. Both report about 95 percent effectiveness at preventing symptoms of COVID-19, including severe disease. This efficacy rate is extraordinary. You won’t get COVID from the vaccine, but you may experience mild flu-like symptoms. It’s not possible to get COVID-19 from the vaccine. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines only produce the spike protein from the virus, not the whole virus. However, when you get the vaccine you may experience some side effects, including chills, fatigue, headache, joint and muscle pain and injection site pain. But these side effects are typically mild and will go away on their own within one or two days. They represent immune activation and are seen with other vaccinations. It takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination. That means it’s possible you could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and get sick. It takes about two weeks after your second dose for full immunity. Two doses of the vaccine are necessary. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses to be effective. Pfizer’s second shot occurs three weeks after the first dose, and Moderna’s is four weeks. Health experts recommend you resist the urge to skip the second dose and make time for the second shot. Vaccines for all will take several months. Vaccine distribution will take a while to make it into your neighborhood. That’s because the Maryland Department of Health created a phased approach to vaccine distribution based on initial limited supplies. First available doses will go to those at highest risk of exposure to or developing complications from COVID-19, including hospital health care workers and nursing home residents and staff. Next up will be first responders and those at significant risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms. Phase 2 targets essential non-health care and transportation workers, and people at moderately higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness. Phase 3 focuses on vaccinations for the general public. According to the CDC, vaccines should be available to the general public by the spring of 2021 and distributed throughout the year. Now is not the time to let your guard down. Just because a vaccine is making its way into your area, it still isn’t time to let your guard down. It will take a while for everyone to get both doses of the vaccine. For a highly contagious disease like COVID-19, much of the population must be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity. Herd immunity occurs when enough people become immune to COVID-19 to make its spread unlikely. And, while Pfizer and Moderna vaccines show they’re about 95 percent effective at protecting you from the disease, they aren’t 100 percent effective. That means there’s a small chance you can still get COVID-19 after being vaccinated if you’re exposed. Experts recommend continuing all of the safety measures we know are working to keep the virus at bay, including the 3Ws: Wash your hands. Wear a mask. Watch your distance. For your health and safety, stay up to date. Information about the pandemic and the vaccine changes daily. For the latest recommendations for you and your family, listen to your local public health officials and bookmark the CDC’s vaccination page for the most up to date information.0
- Community, Giving, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLast updated at 8:00 am Monday, June 8, 2020. Thank you for caring for our employees and patients during the coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis. We appreciate your generosity more than you know. The outpouring of donations from our friends and neighbors is a boost to our spirits. We have moved our collection site but we are still accepting donations. You can drop off items to our North Pavilion information desk and leave in the bins there. In addition to following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance for social distancing and staying home as much as possible, here are three things you can do right now to help: Donate protective equipment. Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) is accepting donations of personal protective equipment (PPE). If you or your company have a supply of masks or any of the other essential medical supplies listed below, please donate them to help protect our healthcare workers. N95 masks, all sizes Isolation gowns and surgical caps. Learn how to make handsewn gowns and surgical caps here. Avagard or a product with greater than 60 percent alcohol content Face shields with masks Yellow procedure masks Protective eyewear Oxivir wipes Please deliver donations to the North Tower reception desk, located at Hospital Pavilion North, 2001 Medical Parkway, Annapolis, MD, 21401. You can leave your items in the bins next to the information desk. We sincerely appreciate your help as we work together to care for our community. If you have questions or would like a tax-deductible receipt, please email us. Make a CDC-compliant mask. Many members of our community have reached out and asked if they can help us by making masks. Yes, we can use CDC-compliant masks for those in health care spaces who are not taking care of patients yet need extra protection, as well as for our patients. This will allow the professional protective gear to be used exclusively for health care professionals who are at higher risk of exposure. Learn how to make a face mask here. “At a time of a national shortage of masks we appreciate the community’s willingness and eagerness to do this,” says Barbara Jacobs, RN, chief nursing officer at AAMC. “This will allow us to accumulate masks that can be used if supply issues continue, particularly for our patients.” We will sanitize all delivered masks. Please deliver these items to the North Tower reception desk, located at Hospital Pavilion North, 2001 Medical Parkway, Annapolis, MD, 21401. You can leave your items in the bins next to the information desk. Give blood. We encourage healthy individuals to schedule an appointment to help meet the blood supply need in our community. Call 443-481-4215 to schedule a time to donate. READ MORE: Blood donations and coronavirus: How we’re keeping our community safe The Blood Donor Center is located inside AAMC’s Wayson Pavilion, Suite 450. Donation times are Monday through Wednesday from 8:15 am to 3:45 pm and Thursday and Friday from 7:15 am to 2:45 pm. Thank you for supporting our incredible heroes on the frontlines as we work together to care for our community during this unprecedented time. We appreciate the many who have asked about donating food. If you are interested in donating meals to our frontline health care workers, please email [email protected] to learn more about how you can help to keep our staff fed during the COVID-19 pandemic. We want to keep our limited resources focused on the gathering of PPE supplies for our health care workers and homemade masks for those not in direct patient care, as well as encouraging people to donate blood. These are critical to the health of our staff and patients. We will keep you informed if things change. If you are interested in further supporting the important efforts of our caregivers and staff who are working tirelessly to care for our community, we would be grateful for any and all financial donations for our Community Response Fund – every dollar truly makes a difference. You have a critical role as we Stay Healthier Together.0
- Cancer Care, Digestive CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf you are under 50, getting screened for colorectal cancer should be a top priority. It’s a topic many don’t want to discuss, but you should. Even as overall cancer deaths continue to fall in the United States, the American Cancer Society reports that colon and rectal cancers have become leading causes of cancer death for men and women under 50. African Americans face a heightened risk as they are disproportionately more likely to develop and die from the disease. With March being Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, it’s a good time to raise awareness about the disease and promote early detection to save lives. This is such a life and death issue that Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center in Lanham and Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis are lit up in blue each night throughout the month. The rise in colorectal cancer in younger adults is alarming, and while the exact reasons remain unclear, it underscores the importance of understanding and addressing the risk factors. There are identifiable risk factors that you can modify to reduce the likelihood of developing colorectal cancer: Body weight Physical activity Diet (eat more fiber and less fatty and processed foods) Smoking Alcohol use The best way to treat colorectal cancer is to catch it early. There is a 91 percent survival rate after five years if detected in its earliest stages. Guidelines now recommend that adults of average risk start screening at age 45. If you have a family history or additional risk factors, talk with your physician about getting screened sooner. Routine screening is important because it can help doctors detect and diagnose colorectal cancer before you notice any symptoms, and doctors can find and remove pre-cancerous polyps before they develop into cancer. There are several types of screening in use today: Fecal occult blood test checks a stool sample for traces of blood that could indicate polyps, cancer or other conditions Sigmoidoscopy uses a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens to look inside the rectum and lower colon for polyps, abnormal areas or cancer Colonoscopy uses a small camera to allow doctors to look inside the rectum and colon for polyps, abnormal areas or cancer Virtual colonoscopy uses a series of X-rays to take a series of images of a patient’s colon DNA stool test checks for changes in the DNA in stool samples that could indicate disease. Improving access to screening and treatment in Prince George’s County Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center is proud to partner with Maryland’s Cancer, Prevention, Education, Screening, and Treatment (CPEST) program, which allocates funding to, among other things, make screenings available to Prince George’s County residents who lack insurance coverage. Over the past 18 months, the $850,000 grant has funded colonoscopies for 540 people ages 45 to 75 — averaging about 8% more people than its yearly target — and, of those, identified and treated five cases of colorectal cancer. If you are an uninsured or underinsured Prince George’s County resident who is 45 or older, you may qualify for a no cost colonoscopy through the CPEST Program. Please contact your physician for a referral. You can also call 301-552-7915 for further information. What it all means The earlier colorectal cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat and the more successful the outcome. Talk to your doctor about your risk factors, when you should be screened and the best screening method for you. The more proactive you are, the better. Authors Steven Fleisher, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist at Luminis Health with more than 20 years of experience0
- General Page - Tier 2Please Help Keep Our Community Healthy Coming together for a stronger community Since 1975, Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC) has provided quality healthcare services to everyone regardless of their financial circumstances. Because of generous donors, like you, we can continue to strive for a healthier community. Your donation during this time of uncertainty will ensure that we can help everyone. Your support will prepare our staff who are working day and night to meet the demands of this pandemic that has impacted the world., Donation of personal protective equipment (PPE) If you or your company can provide masks or other essential medical supplies listed below, please donate them to help protect our healthcare workers: N-95 masks of all sizes Isolation gowns Hand sanitizers with greater than 60 percent alcohol content Face shields Procedure masks Protective eyewear Antibacterial/antiviral wipes To donate supplies, please contact the LH DCMC Foundation at 301-552-8670 or email [email protected]. Thank you for your support during this time. Together, we can keep our community safe and healthy.0
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