- Cancer Care, News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) has earned CEO Cancer Gold StandardTM accreditation for its work to reduce the risk of cancer for its employees and covered family members. AAMC is recognized for encouraging healthy behaviors and improving health outcomes for employees by promoting prevention measures, encouraging early detection through cancer screenings and ensuring access to quality care. “Anne Arundel Medical Center is honored to be among the leading organizations to achieve the CEO Cancer Gold Standard Accreditation™,” said Sherry B. Perkins, president of AAMC. “We strive to provide the highest quality of care for our patients and are equally committed to promoting the wellbeing of our employees and their families. We offer the latest technology in diagnostics and treatments, with access to innovative research and clinical trials to deliver care and support that comes with compassion. Cancer is not only treating a disease, it’s caring for each person throughout his or her journey.” The Gold Standard accreditation recognizes AAMC’s programs to reduce cancer risk by taking concrete actions in prevention, screening, cancer clinical trials, quality treatment and survivorship, and health education and health promotion.0
- Cancer Care, Men's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSeptember is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and there’s good reason to take note. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men. And, about one in eight men will be diagnosed with the disease in his lifetime. This year alone, nearly a quarter-million American men will get it and, sadly, more than 34,000 will die from it. These are scary numbers — and they underscore the importance of screening and finding prostate cancer early when successful treatment is more likely. About Screening Tests Prostate screening involves looking for prostate cancer before symptoms are present. We use two main screening tests: Digital rectal exam: In this test, a doctor feels the prostate gland for bumps or suspicious areas by inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test: A PSA test is a blood test that measures levels of a particular protein produced by normal and cancerous prostate cells. The higher a man’s PSA level, the more likely prostate cancer is present. The problem with prostate cancer screening tests is they aren’t entirely accurate. Results might suggest you have cancer even when you don’t. On the other hand, a screening test could appear normal when cancer does exist. When there’s concern about prostate cancer, doctors do a biopsy, which involves removing cells from the gland and looking at them under a microscope to see if they appear abnormal. Unfortunately, biopsies can cause pain, bleeding and infection. They also sometimes lead to: Overdiagnosis: There are times when a man might never know he had cancer if he hadn’t had a screening test. Many prostate cancers grow slowly and don’t cause symptoms or threaten a man’s life. Rather than dying of cancer, he’s more likely to die with it. However, once he gets a cancer diagnosis, it can cause stress, anxiety and possibly, overtreatment. Overtreatment: When a man knows he has prostate cancer, he wants it treated, even if it’s likely the cancer would never cause problems. Unfortunately, treatment can cause bowel and bladder toxicity and erectile dysfunction, which can negatively — and unnecessarily — affect his quality of life. Prostate cancer screening recommendations Different medical organizations, including the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the American Urological Association and the American Cancer Society, make recommendations regarding who should be screened and when. And while their recommendations vary slightly, they all generally suggest that men take these steps to safeguard their prostate health: Regardless of your age, medical history or risk factors, you should talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of screening and treatment before deciding. From roughly the age of 50 to 69, you should make a personal decision about getting screened with a PSA test. If you’re younger than 50 with increased risk factors — such as being African American or having a strong family history of prostate cancer — you should start conversations with your physician, and screenings, sooner. It’s okay to stop routine prostate cancer screenings at age 70. In general, most experts also agree that your PSA value can help support your decisions about screening frequency, and that your overall health and life expectancy should be considered as well. Making your decision So where does this leave you? Possibly, uncertain. But when in doubt, always speak to a medical expert. Your doctor can help you learn more about your risk for prostate cancer and weigh what’s most important to you when making screening decisions. In the meantime, it’s helpful to know the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer and to tell your doctor if you have them. When signs and symptoms, such as these, are present, looking for cancer may become more important: Blood in urine or semen Erectile dysfunction Pain the hips, back, or chest or other areas Urination difficulties, including a weak stream or frequent urination, especially at night Loss of bowel or bladder control Numbness or weakness in your legs or feet While all of these symptoms can be related to problems other than cancer, it’s crucial you get them evaluated to be sure. The team at Luminis Health is here to help. Schedule your consultation or screening appointment today. Authors Amar Rewari, MD, MBA is the Chief of Radiation Oncology for Luminis Health. Dr. Rewari is a board-certified radiation oncologist trained to treat all types of cancer with the latest radiation therapy techniques.0
- Primary CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe dog days of summer are upon us. It’s a time when many of us go outside to have fun, but spending time outside in extreme heat can cause heat-related illness and, in severe cases, heat stroke. Our experts provide guidance on understanding how to prevent, recognize and treat it. What is heat stroke? This is the most severe form of heat-related illness. It occurs when your body overheats due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures or intense physical activity in hot weather, and it can happen in minutes or over hours or days. When it happens, your body temperature may rise to 104 degrees or more. Take caution if the outside temperature is over 77 degrees, and consider over 85 degrees to be dangerous. Even on cloudy days, high temperatures can cause heat stroke. There are two primary types: Exertional heat stroke affects people who are active outdoors in hot conditions, such as athletes, laborers, or first responders. Strenuous exertion and heat can overwhelm the body’s cooling system. Non-exertional (classic) heat stroke affects vulnerable populations, such as older adults, young children, or people with chronic illnesses. It can occur without physical exertion, particularly during heat waves. How to prevent heat stroke Here are some ways you can help yourself stay safe during hot weather: Drink plenty of fluids, especially when outdoors. Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing. Limit outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Take frequent breaks in the shade or cool areas if outdoors. Sunburn can affect your body’s cooling ability, so use sunscreen. Check with your doctor to see if any medications you use can increase the risk of heat stroke. Recognizing the symptoms Early treatment for heat stroke can be the difference between life and death. If you recognize any of the following symptoms in yourself or someone else, get immediate medical attention: Core body temperatures of 104 degrees or higher are the main sign of heat stroke. You may need a rectal thermometer because other types may not be accurate in heat stroke. You may become confused and agitated, slur your speech, be irritable, delirious, suffer seizures, or lose consciousness. For classic heat stroke, your skin may feel hot and dry. In exertional heat stroke, your skin may feel moist. Either way, it’s a sign that your sweating mechanism is not cooling your body. You may feel sick to your stomach, nauseous, or vomit, which can contribute to dehydration. Your skin may turn red and flushed as your body temperature rises. Heat stroke makes your heart work harder to cool your body so you may breathe rapidly and have a strong pulse. How to treat it? If you think someone near you is experiencing heat stroke, here’s what you should do: Call emergency services. This is a medical emergency requiring quick intervention, so call 911 immediately. Move to a cooler place. Get out of the sun and into a shady or air-conditioned location. Cool their body. Apply cool water to the skin with a sponge, garden hose, or wet towel. Use ice packs or cold, damp cloths on the armpits, groin, neck, or back, where blood vessels are closest to the skin and cool the body more quickly. Use a fan. A fan increases cooling by moving air that helps evaporate water from the skin. Hydrate carefully. If the person is conscious and can drink, give them cool water or a sports drink. Do not use caffeinated beverages or alcohol, as these can increase dehydration. Monitor symptoms. Keep a close watch on the person until emergency medical help arrives. The next time you are making plans to go outside on a hot day, make a plan for staying cool and hydrated to stay safe. If you recognize symptoms in yourself or others, seek medical help immediately. Click here to learn about emergency medical care at Luminis Health. Author Gillian Lowe, MD is a primary care provider at Luminis Health.0
- General Page Tier 3BlogSupporters claim that intermittent fasting helps with weight loss faster than traditional diets. While most diets call for you to take in less food than your body burns, intermittent fasting ranges from 16 to over 24 hours. Let’s take a look at the benefits and consequences of this food trend. Benefits Weight loss. Fasting can be a useful weight loss tool for some. But although research has shown success, studies have been small, few and mostly done on animals. Health. Intermittent fasting can help reduce triglycerides and increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which can lower the risk of heart disease. It can also reduce the chances of developing other diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Convenience. You might find it easier to follow intermittent fasting over a long period instead of keeping food records and restricting calories. There are companies that promote packaged meal plans but these can be expensive, ranging around $300 for a week of food. Consequences Physical side effects. Some research participants experienced headaches, constipation and lack of energy. Some also reported developing a bad temper and lack of concentration. One study found that those fasting became more preoccupied with food, which could be an issue if you are predisposed to eating disorders. Sustainability. Living in a food-centered environment – like attending social gatherings – can make fasting extremely difficult to sustain. You should talk to your doctor if you are considering intermittent fasting. Skipping meals and severely restricting calories can be dangerous if you are pregnant, have a history of eating disorders or certain conditions, like diabetes and hypoglycemia. If you take medications for blood pressure or heart disease this can also lead to electrolyte imbalances. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough research. There are many approaches to weight loss and healthy eating you might consider instead. Talk to your doctor to find the best approach to meet your individual needs. Authors Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford are nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them, call 443-481-5555.0
- Community, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAt the summit of Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro, Matt King, MD, and the 15 members of his climbing party unfurled a flag honoring friends and family who have battled cancer. Among the climbers were four survivors who had faced cancer a combined seven times. They joined Dr. King as participants in Survivor Summit, a non-profit organization he co-founded two years ago with his brother Paul, who is an orthopedic surgeon at AAMC. The organization leads cancer survivors and their supporters on expeditions to the top of Africa’s tallest mountain. “It’s hard to put into words the power of that kind of experience,” says Dr. King. “It felt like the people whose names were on the honor flag were along with us on the trip.” A primary care physician in Chester on the Eastern Shore, Dr. King, his four brothers and his closest friend founded Survivor Summit as a way to inspire those struggling with cancer and to make a difference in the world. Along with funding the expeditions, donations to the organization support the Livestrong foundation, which raises awareness for cancer patients and promotes patient navigation services. “We had many powerful moments with the survivors during the climb,” he says. “One of the climbers celebrated her one year ‘cancerversary’—that’s one year being cancer free—while we were on the mountain.” This was the second expedition for Survivor Summit. Two of Dr. King’s brother’s led the first expedition in 2012. At the beginning of expedition, the team made the decision to stay together throughout the entire climb. Fewer than 20 percent of those who attempt Kilimanjaro actually succeed, and staying in a large group rather than breaking into smaller more efficient teams would make the challenge even more difficult. But the message their decision sent was clear—they would support each other and help each other throughout the physical and emotional struggle to reach to top. And they succeeded. “The way we all banded together and became a cohesive unit in two weeks was just amazing,” says Dr. King. “It really was emotionally overwhelming.”0
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