- Cancer Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe American Cancer Society estimates more than 100,000 cases of gynecologic cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year, and more than 30,000 women will die of these cancers in 2021 alone. Clearly, there’s more work to do. But we have made progress in the fight against gynecologic cancer. And one of our most valuable weapons is information. We’ve learned about lowering the risk for these cancers and how to prevent some of them. We also know more about possible signs of the cancers, something that’s important because bringing symptoms to your doctor’s attention can lead to early detection and treatment. And early treatment leads to better outcomes. That’s why we’re sharing this information with you, and hope that you’ll pass it along to others. September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, making it a perfect time to learn more about gynecologic cancer, including cancers of the cervix, ovaries, uterus, vagina and vulva. Cervical Cancer One key thing to know: HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccines and regular screening tests may help prevent cervical cancer. HPV vaccines protect against the types of HPV that most often cause cervical cancer. Vaccination is best before someone becomes sexually active, so we recommend it at age 11 or 12. You can get the vaccine through age 26 if you don’t get it earlier. In some cases, you can get it up to age 45 if you and your health care provider decide it’s right for you. What Puts You At Risk A history of multiple sex partners Giving birth to three or more children Infection with HPV, a virus transmitted during sex Smoking How To Lower Your Risk Don’t smoke Get the HPV vaccine Get screened with a Pap test and/or an HPV test Screening typically starts at age 21 with a Pap test. Your health care provider can tell you how often to get screened, which test(s) to have and when you can stop screening. Possible Symptoms Abnormal bleeding between periods or unusual vaginal discharge Bleeding after sex Pelvic pain Ovarian cancer One key thing to know: There’s no good way to screen for ovarian cancer and no known way to prevent it for most people, making recognizing possible symptoms of the disease even more important. What Puts You at Risk BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutations Eastern European or Ashkenazi Jewish heritage Family history of both colon and uterine (endometrial cancer) or male breast cancer Family history of ovarian cancer in a close relative Not bearing children or having trouble getting pregnant Personal history of breast, colorectal or uterine cancer How to Lower Your Risk Breastfeed your babies Consider risk-reduction surgery if you’re at high genetic risk Give birth at least once Use birth control pills for at least five years Possible Symptoms Abdominal or back pain Bloating Constipation Eating difficulties or feeling full quickly Frequent or urgent need to urinate Pelvic pain or pressure Unusual vaginal discharge Vaginal bleeding, especially after menopause If you experience these symptoms 12 days out of the month or more, please visit your gynecologist. Uterine Cancer One key thing to know: The vast majority of women with the most common type of uterine cancer — endometrial cancer, or cancer affecting the lining of the uterus — survive because of early detection. That’s a good reason to know the symptoms. What Puts You at Risk Obesity Diabetes Estrogen hormone replacement therapy alone, without progesterone Family history of uterine, ovarian or colon cancer High blood pressure Never becoming pregnant Use of the drug tamoxifen for breast cancer, combined with the above risk factors How to Lower Your Risk Achieve or maintain a healthy weight Get regular physical activity Maintain healthy blood pressure and blood sugar levels Take progesterone if you are taking estrogen for hormone replacement therapy Possible Symptoms Abnormal vaginal bleeding, including bleeding between periods or bleeding after menopause Pain during sex Persistent pelvic pain or pressure Vaginal and Vulvar Cancer One key thing to know: Getting the HPV vaccine helps protect against these rare cancers. What puts you at risk Conditions, such as HIV, that weaken the immune system Persistent infection with certain types of HPV Precancers of the vagina, vulva or cervix Smoking, if you have an HPV infection How to Lower Your Risk Get regular pelvic exams Get the HPV vaccine Stop smoking Possible Symptoms of Vaginal Cancer Abnormal bleeding Constipation, frequent urination or blood in the stool or urine Pelvic pain Vaginal discharge Possible Symptoms of Vulvar Cancer Abnormal bleeding or discharge Chronic bleeding, burning or itching of the vulva Pelvic pain, especially during urination or sex Sores, lumps, dark spots, red rash or raw areas on the vulva Talk to Your Doctor You’ve taken the first step by learning more. Next, talk to your doctor to learn more about your risk for gynecologic cancer and how to protect yourself or if you notice any concerning symptoms. Find a gynecologist at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center or Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. Authors Monica Jones, MD, MS, FACS, FACG is the chair of Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Women’s and Children’s services. To make an appointment with a Luminis Health gynecologic oncologist, please call 443-481-3493. Luminis Health was recently joined by Michael L. Hicks, MD, a board certified gynecologic oncologist. Dr. Hicks has a wealth of experience in gynecologic oncology.0
- Community, News & Press Releases, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health has been awarded the American Hospital Association (AHA) Dick Davidson NOVA Award for its efforts to improve community health. Luminis Health is being recognized for its COVID-19 Community Prevention Project. The AHA Dick Davidson NOVA Award honors hospitals and health systems for their collaborative efforts toward improving community health status, whether through health care, economic or social initiatives. Honorees participate in joint efforts among health care systems or hospitals, or among hospitals and other community leaders and organizations. “To be just one of five health systems in the country to receive this prestigious award is truly an honor,” said Tori Bayless, CEO of Luminis Health. “Since our mission is to enhance the health of the people and communities we serve, it is Luminis Health’s responsibility to be a leader at ending this pandemic. I applaud our Community Health Team, members from our Pharmacy, Cancer Prevention, Information Systems, Engineering Departments and so many more for working tirelessly to provide education and resources to our most vulnerable residents. Their efforts ultimately saved lives.” The Luminis Health COVID-19 Prevention Program had many goals, including educating residents about COVID-19, connecting them with testing resources and providing important information about food scarcity and financial insecurity. The Luminis Health Community Health Team went door-to-door in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties to provide life-saving information, cloth masks, hygiene products, and bilingual education flyers. “Because of this program, we reached more than 49,000 residents throughout the community said Chris Crabbs, director of Community Health for Luminis Health. “Realizing community partnerships were essential, our team worked with property managers of senior and low incoming housing, faith leaders, business owners, county agencies and other non-profits to reach as many residents as possible. We share this award with all our partners because their collaboration made our communities safe and healthy.” In January, the Community Health Team shifted its focus to administer COVID-19 vaccines at mobile clinics. To date, Luminis Health has given more than 110,000 COVID-19 vaccines in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties. Click here to read the AHA news release0
- Community, Pediatrics, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogFamily routines are everything our current COVID-19 times are not: consistent, predictable and reassuring. While you may not consider yourself a “creature of habit,” you’ve likely hoped for a sense of normalcy to return to daily life. But for everything you’re feeling, your children are likely suffering more significant effects. Learn how routines can help Our children are in a constant state of development as they grow. New information and experiences shape and re-shape how they see the world — even before coronavirus came our way. Familiar routines can help kids find stability and a sense of security in good and bad times. Research shows family routines can support essential building blocks for kids, including better sleep, improved resilience during times of crisis and success at school and in social situations. Know where to start Where to start depends on your family’s needs. Play back your last few days and think about any stressful situations that developed. Was it getting your kids out the door in the morning? Putting dinner on the table? Getting everyone to bed? Chances are, you’ll notice patterns, and developing routines that address your family’s stressors can bring calm to critical transition times, such as: Before school After school Bedtime Weekends Start small. Setting little “constants,” like doing homework every night right after dinner, reading a book together before “lights out” or remembering to lay out school clothes, may be just what your family needs. Around mealtimes, you might try: Family scheduling. If you’re answering daily questions about when things are happening or always rushing to find a soccer jersey, library book or birthday present, established routines make it easier to stay on the same page. Put a family calendar where your kids can see it and check it together daily, preferably at the same time every day. Knowing what to expect can be comforting to your kids and avoid confusion. Meal planning. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel to feed your family every day. We suggest writing down three to five wholesome meals and making them every week until you can serve them with your eyes closed. These will be your go-to meals on weeks when you get busy. To simplify your meal schedule (and resist buying not-so-healthy or more expensive take-out options regularly), you might: Batch cook and freeze grab-and-go family favorites, like sausage-and-egg breakfast sandwiches or black bean burritos. Prep kids’ lunches the night before, or wash and cut up fruits and veggies for them to find easily. Try recurring weekly meals, such as Taco Tuesdays, Pizza Fridays or Soup on Sundays. Plan for periods of high stress When your family is especially busy or you’re dealing with stressful events — like COVID, a life transition or illness in the family — it can be easy to let things slide around the house. But quick daily routines can help you feel in control. They can also help keep your home running smoothly and mean you won’t have to face a mountain of household tasks at once later. You might try: Cleaning up dishes after every meal Getting up a half-hour earlier in the morning Running a load of laundry every day Running the dishwasher every night The great thing about routines is that once you’ve established them, you don’t have to think about them: they will become more automatic the more you do them. Make time for special moments It’s important to make sure you’re savoring the good stuff — the kind of everyday special moments that keep your family feeling connected. Once a week or month, you could consider scheduling: A date with your partner. Having time scheduled on the calendar is an excellent reminder to take time for your relationship, even when things are hectic. One-on-one time with each of your kids. You could let them pick a game to play or a park to visit together. You don’t need to keep up with your routines perfectly for them to work. Aiming to hit them most of the time will be enough to have an impact. And if things fall off track, it’s never too late to start again. Start small — and just keep building from there. You’ve got this. Authors Jennifer Williams is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor0
- Community, Pediatrics, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogBack-to-school butterflies are common at the start of every new school year, as our kids adapt to new teachers, new routines, shifting friend dynamics and more. And this year especially, after so much change and with some uncertainty still lingering, your child’s anxiety might be at an all-time high. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help. Talk about feelings: Theirs and yours Some children naturally have more worries than others, and many don’t like to talk about their feelings. Ongoing reminders that you’ll always be there for support will go a long way. And although it can be hard to wait for your child to come to you with any concerns, it’s essential to be patient and allow them the necessary time and space. Many kids feel stress about fitting in or bullying, not doing well enough in school, resolving troubles with a teacher or using the school bathroom. COVID-19 worries are also still top-of-mind. In many cases, your simple but steady support can help: Acknowledge you hear their concerns, whatever they may be Be sympathetic, understanding and supportive Normalize feelings in the moment, and explain that it is also normal for emotions to change many times during the day. Point out the steps you (and others) are taking to protect them (and what they can do to protect themselves) Stay committed to offering your support as they work through each issue Also, remember your child will learn from your example. Try to be a good role model for managing and overcoming your own worries in a healthy way. Set the foundation: Back to basics A healthy lifestyle is crucial for children with anxiety. Focusing on taking care of the basics around your home can help you all live easier and with less stress. Allow time to unwind Practicing mindfulness, meditation and deep breathing techniques can help manage symptoms of anxiety. It may also help to give children unstructured, quiet time throughout the day. Keep a good bedtime routine Kids need the right amount of sleep to maintain their physical, mental and emotional health. Preschool kids should get 10 to 13 hours of sleep, school-aged children should aim for nine to 12 hours, and teens should get around eight to 10 hours of sleep a night, according to national guidelines. Help them stay active during the day Most kids age six to 17 should do at least an hour of physical activity every day. Work with your child to find a form of exercise they enjoy, whether it’s an organized sport like soccer, neighborhood activities like bike riding or a class like karate. Shop for healthy foods Plan ahead, so you have enough food in the pantry for healthy cooking. And meals don’t have to be creative or elaborate to be healthy — simple, wholesome foods on a weekly rotation will do the trick. Include as many fruits and vegetables as possible, and from there, focus on whole grains, legumes like beans, peas and lentils, and lean proteins, nuts and seeds. Limit sugary treats and saturated fat. If your child’s anxiety peaks in the mornings before school, plan a routine together to help them get out the door on the right foot. Simple steps, like making sure they have clean clothes ready to go and a simple breakfast that feels easy on a nervous stomach, can make a difference. Watch for signs that more help is needed Kids show anxiety in different ways and it can depend on their age. Very young children may cry or act extra clingy at drop-off, while older school kids might argue about going to school or complain of physical symptoms like a stomachache or headache. It’s normal for this to happen occasionally and fade over a few weeks. However, if school has been in session for more than a few weeks and you’re still dealing with these behaviors it’s likely time to get help, especially if your child’s worries are getting in the way of their daily life or interaction with family and friends. We’re here when you need us Remember, children are adaptable and resilient. Your child will weather the storm — after all, they have you by their side. When a little extra help is needed to get your child back to living their best life, your trusted primary care physician is a great place to start for advice on next steps. Luminis Health mental health specialists are also ready, should you need us, with the support you need to help your child thrive. Authors Jennifer Williams is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor0
- Digestive CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSoon, kids everywhere will be making their way back to the classroom — and in some cases, for the first time in quite a while. Whether thoughts of your little ones heading back to school evoke tears or applause, this much is clear: It’ll take some time to get back in the swing of things, even for mom and dad. Though you may be out of practice packing your kids’ lunches, this midday meal is essential to fuel your child’s mind and body for the afternoon. You might be thinking, “how do I prepare a healthy meal for my child? Or, “how do I get them to eat it?” These are good questions, and we’ve got the answers. 1) Brush up on food facts A healthy meal for a school-aged child is pretty much the same as a healthy meal for an adult. It includes nutrient-rich foods from key food groups — proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dairy products — and goes easy on added sugars, and saturated fats and sodium. By design, school lunch programs provide nutritious meals that are a good value for your money. But if your kiddos would rather bring a meal from home, allowing them to pack will go a long way in ensuring they get a midday recharge. 2) Consider a sandwich makeover Sandwiches are a noontime staple. To boost their nutritional content, serve them on whole-grain bread and add veggies, such as baby spinach, tomatoes, sliced cucumbers or shredded carrots. To make a sandwich more interesting — and something your child will be more likely to eat — you could even use cookie cutters to make them into fun shapes. Other unique “sandwich” options include: Making mini sandwiches on sweet potato or whole wheat crackers instead of bread Rolling meats, cheese and lettuce, in a whole wheat tortilla and then slicing it into small rounds Smearing low-fat cream cheese low-sodium pickle or carrot stick and wrapping it in deli meat 3) Rethink your child’s drink Choosing a healthy drink for your child’s lunch is just as important as choosing healthy foods. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends providing mostly water and unflavored milk for beverages. The amount of fluid your child will need every day will depend on their age, but in general the recommendations can range from 32-64 ounces per day. To help limit the amount of added sugar your child drinks per day, limit flavored milks, sports drinks, and other juices that contain added sugar. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting 100% fruit juices to 4 to 8 ounces per day. 4) Think outside the (lunch) box Of course, sandwiches don’t have to be part of every lunch. Mixing things up may keep your child from getting bored. Get creative and try: Finger foods. Cubed cheese and deli meats, sliced hard boiled eggs, berries, baby carrots, popcorn, and nuts are great choices. (Be sure to check the school’s policy on nuts in the lunchroom. They can be dangerous for kids with allergies.) Fruit kabobs. Place your kids’ favorite fruits on a wooden skewer to make rainbow kabobs: think blueberries, green grapes, pineapple, cantaloupe and strawberries, for example. It’s also fun to include also plain yogurt for dipping. Veggie kabobs. Just like fruit kabobs, veggie kabobs can be appealing and delicious. Options include cucumber slices, zucchini chunks, grape tomatoes, olives or whatever your child enjoys. Hummus, peanut butter or light ranch dressing are possible dips. 5) Eat the rainbow Choosing colorful food can help make a more attractive plate that is fun to eat for kids. The different colors of fruits and vegetables provide different vitamins and minerals. So, by including a variety of colors in your child’s lunch you are increasing the amount of nutrition they get from their meal. 6) Get the kiddos involved Kids are more likely to be excited about their lunches if they have choices and are involved in the process. Here are a few suggestions: a. Make a list. Together with your kids, create a list of healthy foods they enjoy within each key food group. It might look something like this: Dairy products: Milk, yogurt, low-fat cheese, cottage cheese Fruits: Apples, grapes, watermelon, berries, pineapple, cantaloupe, olives (Yep, they’re fruit!) Protein: Deli turkey or roast beef, hard-boiled eggs, nut butters, hummus, nuts Vegetables: Carrots, celery, grape tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli, cucumbers Whole grains: Whole wheat tortillas, popcorn, whole-grain bread, pasta, crackers, cereal b. Shop together. Take your kids to the grocery store with you and let them pick out healthy items (with your approval). They might even find new foods they’re willing to try. It’s also a good idea to get your child’s input when purchasing a lunch bag and storage containers. Just like a backpack, this back-to-school item allows kids to show a little personality. Kids are also more likely to take care of their belongings if they love them. c. Plan a menu. Based on your purchases, sit down together and plan a lunch menu for the week. Aim to include foods from each category each day. And occasionally, a few bites of dark chocolate or an oatmeal raisin cookie are nice. d. Pack ahead. Try bagging or packing items on the weekend for the upcoming week. It’s easy enough to keep them fresh in the fridge, and it will help your mornings run more smoothly. It’s also fun to add a note, funny picture or joke every day. These little pieces of home give kids reassurance, encouragement and something to look forward to at lunch time. 7) Keep it safe When it comes to food, safety should always be a priority. Before packing the lunch pail, consider these safety tips: Freeze drinks, such as juice boxes, water bottles or milk cartons. They should thaw by lunchtime. Use an ice pack to keep perishable foods safe. A frozen water bottle also works well. Wash reusable storage items every day, including lunch boxes, utensils, cups or thermoses and reusable storage containers or bags. Author Allie Helbling, MS, RD, LDN, is a dietitian at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center.0
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