- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNancy Noel says cancer may be the best thing that happened to her. “There’s life after cancer, and it’s not all about cancer,” says Nancy. “You’ll find you’re wanting to do things you never would’ve done. The disease motivates you to do.” After she completed treatment for a rare, aggressive form of breast cancer, Nancy and her husband took up storm chasing. “As we stare up into that swirling belly of the beast, I remind myself that it’s great to be alive.” Nancy also mentors women newly diagnosed with breast cancer through AAMC’s program, Survivors Offering Support (SOS). She helps guide women with breast cancer through diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. SOS debuted at AAMC in 2004 and has since expanded to hospitals throughout the mid-Atlantic. The program pairs a newly diagnosed patient with a breast cancer survivor. The mentor provides support and encouragement from diagnosis through recovery. Read more about how a supportive team of peers and medical professionals can help women with breast cancer make personal treatment choices.0
- Community, News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogBosom Buddies Charities celebrated its 10th anniversary with a $1.5 million milestone in support of Anne Arundel Medical Center at their 2016 Bosom Buddies Ball. Their time and commitment helps provide essential equipment and programs to treat breast cancer patients at AAMC’s Kent Island Breast Center and the Rebecca Fortney Breast Center at AAMC. Bosom Buddies has helped fund a nurse navigator position, a 3D biopsy machine, Spy Elite imaging equipment, portable ultrasound and digital mammography units. Bosom Buddies Charities members include breast cancer survivors and their friends and family. Through events like their annual Bosom Buddies Ball, Crabs for a Cure Feast and partnerships with other community organizations, they are successful in their mission to promote breast cancer awareness, encourage early detection, support treatment and celebrate healing. “As a breast cancer survivor myself, I’m excited to join forces with Bosom Buddies Charities to support their mission of early detection, as well as raise awareness of younger women being diagnosed,” says Elizabeth DeCesaris, vice chair of Bosom Buddies Charities. “I received so much support from our community when I was diagnosed and hope to help others through their journey.” The group is well into their planning for next year’s ball and events. Biana Arentz, chair of Bosom Buddies Charities, says, “Our 2017 Bosom Buddies Ball theme is ‘Maryland Against Breast Cancer,’ and we are excited that Governor Larry Hogan will join us to promote breast cancer awareness and paint Maryland pink.” Call the AAMC Foundation at 443-481-4747 to learn how you can help.0
- PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogHuman papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection, affecting nearly one in four people in the United States. It is thought to be responsible for more than 90 percent of anal and cervical cancers, about 70 percent of vaginal and vulvar cancers, and more than 60 percent of penile cancers. HPV is also linked to cancers of the throat and tongue. The HPV vaccine can prevent the infection and associated cancers and is recommended for all preteen boys and girls around age 11 to 12. The vaccine is given in a series of three shots, each a few months apart. Women who missed the vaccine as teens can receive the shot through age 26, and men through age 21. But the shot works best when given well before a person becomes sexually active. Some parents are hesitant about the vaccine because it raises the uncomfortable issue of their child’s sexuality — often before the onset of puberty. If you are hesitant about the vaccine, I encourage you to have an open conversation with your child’s doctor to have all of your questions answered. Author Dwight Fortier, MD, is a pediatrician at Annapolis Pediatrics, with offices in Annapolis, Severna Park and Crofton. To reach his office, call 410-263-6363.0
- Behavioral Health, Community, News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogJohn and Jill DePaola of the Bo DePaola Family Foundation hosted the inaugural Bo’s Effort Golf Tournament at South River Country Club on May 23, 2016, in memory of their son Bo DePaola. It raised funds to support a behavioral health nurse navigator position for AAMC’s Pathways, outpatient mental health clinic and ER. As part of AAMC’s family-centered care, nurse navigators advocate for patients and their families. They remove barriers, coordinate activities to meet patients’ needs, and identify ways to improve the patient journey and enhance patient and family support during a complex diagnosis. “This was a tribute to our beautiful son, Bo, who left this life early but will continue in spirit to do great things for the community. He is doing his part to help other families who are going through the uncertainty of living with mental illness,” said John DePaola, Bo’s dad. Bo’s Effort’s mission is to break the stigma of mental illness with education and guidance. Through partnerships with Anne Arundel Medical Center, the National Alliance on Mental Illness – Anne Arundel County, and valued community partners, the event is raising awareness. Mark your calendars for the 2017 Bo’s Effort Golf Tournament on Monday, May 22.0
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWe’re launching a major advertising campaign that showcases our commitment to partnering with you to live healthier. The stars of our campaign? You! That’s right, we’re featuring local people just like you who have been AAMC patients, as well as their family and friends. The ads highlight our network of dedicated healthcare providers who are here to help you take control of your health. Whether you’re looking for a fitness class or nutrition counseling, or someone to repair your heart or fight your cancer — we’ve got you covered from head to toe. Look for our campaign (and see if you can find all five of our little known health facts) in local newspapers and magazines, on our Facebook and Twitter accounts, on county buses and on the radio. 1. People who own pets tend to have lower blood pressure. According to the American Heart Association, research shows that owning a pet may be linked with lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Researchers haven’t determined the exact cause of this effect, but there are several likely explanations. Pets have also been shown to lower stress and obesity levels in their owners, both of which can affect blood pressure. Dog owners may have an advantage since their pets require frequent walks. In fact, in a study of about 5,000 adults, dog owners were more physically active than people who didn’t own a dog. Take 48 stressed stockbrokers for example. As part of a study, these men and women all took medication to lower their blood pressure. Researchers then split them into two groups. Half of them adopted a dog or cat, the other half did nothing different. Months later, the study revealed that the group who adopted a pet were significantly calmer during stressful events compared to the other group. 2. Hugs have healing powers. Those people wearing T-shirts or holding signs declaring “Free Hugs” might be on to something. Most of us know hugs can help us feel connected to other people, but did you know they can actually help prevent sickness? When we feel connected to others, especially through physical touch, we’re less prone to experience sickness caused by stress. In one study of more than 400 adults, researchers found that the more often people hugged, the more their chances of getting sick decreased. Hugging may be an indicator of overall social support in a person’s life, which also promotes good health. In the same study, the adults who said they have a strong social support system had fewer cold symptoms than those who said their support system was lacking. 3. Happy people are less likely to get sick and usually live longer lives. Positive emotions and good health often go together. That’s what researchers found when they studied more than 6,000 adults between age 25 and 74 for 20 years of their lives. Specifically, people with “a sense of enthusiasm, hopefulness and engagement in life” were more likely to avoid or better manage diseases like stroke, diabetes, depression and heart attack. Another study revealed a link between happiness and life expectancy. Older adults who self-reported low levels of happiness died at almost twice the rate in the next five years compared to those who self-reported high happiness levels. Even after excluding factors like sickness, financial trouble and depression, those who were the happiest still had a 35 percent lower risk of death. 4. Laughing 15 minutes a day can burn up to 40 calories. Burning a few calories doesn’t require going to the gym. Your body burns calories naturally all the time, but laughing creates a spike in caloric burn. Here’s how it works: When you laugh, your heart rate increases anywhere from 10 to 20 percent. A higher heart rate speeds up your metabolism, the bodily reactions that affect your weight. Research at Vanderbilt University found that you can burn 10 to 40 calories by laughing for 10 to 15 minutes. 5. 20 minutes outside can have the same effect as a cup of coffee. Next time you start reaching for another cup of Joe to ward off feelings of tiredness, try stepping outside instead. Studies suggest that nature can help us feel more energized and focused. In one study, 90 percent of participants reported higher energy levels when doing activities outdoors. But you don’t have to exercise outside to reap the benefits. Nature’s effect is strong enough that simply being outside can make you feel more energized. Find more free health tips and tools at LivingHealthierTogether.org. Our Sources: https://archive.nytimes.com/well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/09/heart-association-weighs-in-on-pets/?ref=oembed http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/Owning-a-Pet-May-Protect-You-from-Heart-Disease_UCM_453586_Article.jsp#.V7w_YvkrKUkhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22071630 http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-hug-a-day-keeps-the-doctor-away/ http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/does_happiness_really_help_you_live_longer http://time.com/4217052/do-happy-people-really-live-longer/http://www.livestrong.com/article/308619-how-many-calories-do-you-burn-each-time-you-laugh/http://www.rochester.edu/news/show.php?id=3639 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272494409000838 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/7803320/20-minutes-outdoors-as-good-as-cup-of-coffee.html0
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