- Behavioral Health, News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogToday (9/23), the Maryland Health Care Commission voted to approve Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center’s (LHDCMC) Certificate of Need (CON) application for a 16-bed adult inpatient behavioral health unit. This is an incredible step forward for expanding access to critically needed mental health care in our community. Building on the legacy Luminis Health has established with mental health care in Anne Arundel County, this new behavioral health unit will allow LHDCMC to expand comprehensive and integrated mental health care right here in Prince George’s County. Today’s positive vote means we can move forward with our plans to begin construction of the inpatient unit this fall, with doors opening to our community in the winter of 2022. This is in addition to the construction of our outpatient programs, which is expected to be complete in spring 2022. Across both areas, our new behavioral health pavilion will include inpatient psychiatric care for adults, outpatient therapy and medication management, walk-in urgent care, psychiatric day treatment programs (partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient), family support services, prevention programs, and care coordination with community-based support services. These programs and services would be impossible without the support of Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, the county council and health department and their commitment to the needs of our community. We continue to work in close partnership to deliver these much needed services. I would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you for your support. Many of you have been with us from the beginning, and provided impactful letters of support as part of our application. The support of everyone in our Luminis Health family and our community has helped bring this approval for much needed inpatient behavioral health services. I look forward to keeping you updated on our progress. Thank you, Deneen Richmond, president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center
- Cancer Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOur bodies do a lot for us — carrying us through each day when we’re at work and at play. But we don’t always listen to the signals. When you notice something in your body isn’t quite right, it can be worth getting checked out without delay. Watch for early warning signs Most commonly found in women after menopause, endometrial cancer affects the inner layer of the uterus (endometrium), causing growing cancer cells to thicken the lining of the uterus or form a tumor. Usually, endometrial cancer causes symptoms early on that lead women to check with their doctor. And fortunately, taking early action often means catching it at a highly treatable stage. Here are the symptoms women most commonly notice. Unusual vaginal bleeding. About 90 percent of women with endometrial cancer have abnormal vaginal bleeding. If you haven’t gone through menopause yet, you might notice a change in your period or bleeding between periods. After menopause, if you have any vaginal bleeding, you should be checked out by a doctor. Other pelvic symptoms. Some women with endometrial cancer experience pelvic pain, pain during sexual intercourse and trouble urinating. It can also cause unusual vaginal discharge after menopause. Know if you’re at risk for endometrial cancer About three percent of women receive a diagnosis of endometrial cancer in their lives, most commonly around the age of 60. You might have a higher chance of developing it if you: Are obese Have a close family history of endometrial cancer, which can be passed to you from your mother OR father Have never been pregnant Started your period early (before the age of 12) or started menopause late Take estrogen without progesterone for menopausal hormone therapy Take tamoxifen for breast cancer If you’re worried about your risk for developing cancer, talk to your doctor about what you can do to help protect yourself. Generally, being physically active and eating a healthy diet can help reduce your overall risk. Act quickly if you have symptoms If you notice one of the symptoms listed above, schedule an appointment with your gynecologist. They’ll likely talk to you about your health history and do a physical exam. And if needed, may also recommend an ultrasound of the area to look for tumors or see if your endometrium is thicker than normal. These two common tests can help the doctor check the cells in your endometrium: Endometrial biopsy. The doctor will insert a thin, flexible tube into your uterus through your cervix to remove a small amount of tissue. They’ll examine the cells with a microscope to check for cancer. The doctor will use a tool with a light and lens to look for and biopsy any abnormal areas. Your care team might also order additional tests if needed. Sometimes unusual bleeding or other symptoms are flags for different conditions that are less serious than cancer. But it’s important you still get checked to understand what’s causing the change in your body. If it is endometrial cancer, doctors will likely recommend surgery and other therapies, such as radiation and chemotherapy, to treat it. Be your body’s best advocate Right now, there’s no standard screening test to check for endometrial cancer. The best way to catch it early is to listen to your body — and take note of any signs or signals. If you’ve noticed a change in your body recently or have questions, we’re here to support you. 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 release
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