- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogDid you know that one woman in 75 will develop ovarian cancer in her lifetime? Or that the Pap test doesn’t detect ovarian cancer? And did you know that when diagnosed and treated in the earliest stages, five-year survival rate is over 90 percent? Women are nurturing and selfless by nature, but sometimes it’s important to remind them that they also need to take care of themselves and worry about their health first. Moms, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, aunts – and all other wonderful women who have taught us how to look after ourselves – the same applies to you. Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Unfortunately, many women don’t seek the help they need until the disease has developed and spread. Although there is no research showing what exactly causes most ovarian cancers, some of the risk factors that can lead to it include genetic predisposition, personal or family history, age, infertility and obesity, among others. An estimated 22,240 women will receive a new diagnosis of ovarian cancer this year in the United States alone, according to ACS. Approximately 14,070 women will die from ovarian cancer. READ MORE: Tips on supporting a loved one through cancer. Research shows ovarian cancer mainly develops in older women, with half of the women diagnosed at 63 years or older. The good news is that the rate at which women are diagnosed with this cancer has been slowly falling over the last 20 years. There are ways you can reduce your risk of developing ovarian cancer, according to the ACS. Although there has been a lot of research to develop a screening test for ovarian cancer, there hasn’t been much success aside from a complete pelvic exam, a transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) and the CA-125 blood test. Early cancers of the ovaries often cause no symptoms. However, paying attention to a few potential warning signs and symptoms may improve the odds of early diagnosis and successful treatment. Only about 20 percent of ovarian cancers are found at an early stage. Below is a list of warning symptoms that are linked to this cancer. If you feel these almost daily for more than a few weeks, report them right away to your health care professional. Potential signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer: You feel bloated You have pelvic or abdominal pain You have trouble eating or you feel like you’re full very quickly You feel like you need to urinate urgently or very often Other symptoms of ovarian cancer: You feel fatigued You have an upset stomach or feel heartburn You have back pain You experience pain during sex You have constipation or menstrual changes, such as heavier or irregular bleeding You have nausea, indigestion, gas or diarrhea You suffer shortness of breath You gain weight These symptoms might seem vague now, but they can persist and get more intense over time. If you are concerned about your risk of ovarian cancer or have experienced any of the symptoms listed above for an extended period, talk to your health care professional. Early detection increases survival rate. You’ve done a great job at looking after others, make sure you take some time to look after your health and put yourself first. Originally published Sept. 10, 2018. Last updated Sept. 16, 2025.0
- Employee SpotlightGeneral Page Tier 3Blog“…People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” … Maya Angelou This is how patients feel about Arianna Graziadei as their nurse. When a daughter’s mother was in the hospital and nearing end of life, she knew her mom was in good hands – those of Arianna. The daughter framed the quote and presented it to Arianna. That’s the moment Arianna knew she made the right decision to be a nurse. Every day, she makes a difference. She cares for her patients physically and mentally, while also providing support to families. At Luminis Health, we’re delighted to share Arianna’s story during National Nurses Week, a time to pay tribute to the super-human work nurses perform for patients and families every day. It’s also important to acknowledge the vital role nurses play in society. Nurses are the heartbeat of healthcare, according to Arianna, BSN, RN, GERO-BC, MEDSURG-BC at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center, where she’s worked in the elderly unit since 2013. “Nursing is my passion,” says Arianna. “I put my entire soul into my work. I treat my patients as loved ones. I form connections with them, and I go above and beyond for them.” In 2017, Arianna received The Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses for compassionate care of her patients. She’s been nominated 20 times by patients, family members, other nurses, doctors and staff. She holds two board certifications in Gerontology and Medical-Surgical Nursing, as well as an expertise in Geriatrics. It’s all thanks to her grandmother When Arianna was 18 and determining what to do in life, her grandmother was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. After assisting and watching the nurses, she was inspired by the kindness and empathy they shared with her grandma. “Seeing that, it was my calling. It was the end of her life, but that’s what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to help other elderly people,” says Arianna, who became a Registered Nurse by age 20. “It’s very rewarding to take care of those who have paved the way for us, and to help them at this time in their lives,” Arianna continues. “My heart is at the bedside” It’s at the bedside where Arianna forms those special connections. She comforts, holds hands and peruses photo albums. “Listening, talking and getting to know my patients. It means the world to them,” says Arianna. “I will give the best care to my patients and ensure their needs are met.” It was at the bedside of a patient during COVID that she held his hand at the end of his life while his family stood outside. “It’s truly a blessing to touch someone at the end of their life. It’s one of the most intimate moments you can truly share with a person,” Arianna says. “It means so much to the families.” Arianna’s advice for aspiring nurses: “This is the best job, the best career. You will be so happy. You’ll never stop learning, and you’ll be glad you chose to be a nurse,” Arianna says. “I can’t imagine doing anything else in my life.” “I come to work every day happy and excited to care for people,” concludes Arianna. “It brings me so much joy.”0
- PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs a parent, you are the most important influence on your child. You can do many things to help your child develop healthy eating habits for life. Start healthy eating habits by introducing your child to a variety of foods. Children need nutrients from a variety of food groups to support their growing bodies and minds. They are more likely to try new foods, and to like more foods, if they are exposed at an early age. But don’t stop there. Here are some additional tips to get your child on a path to a lifetime of healthy habits. Lead by example. Let your child see you indulge in fruits and vegetables at meals and snacks. Go grocery shopping together. Use a trip to the grocery store to teach your child about food and nutrition. Discuss where foods come from and let them add their own healthy choices to your cart. Be creative in the kitchen and let your child help. Cut fruits into fun shapes with cookie cutters. Try a simple, healthy recipe like a trail mix with dry whole-grain cereals, nuts and dried fruits. And name a food your child helps make, like “Sarah’s zucchini noodles!” Prepare one meal for all. Avoid becoming a short order cook by accommodating different preferences or pickiness. This will expose your child to new foods and help to avert a picky eater. Plus, it is easier and cheaper to serve one meal to everyone in your family. Reward your child with a fun activity, not food. Celebrate with activities, such as a trip to the pool, a bike ride or family hike. When you use candy or dessert, especially as a reward, your child might think of those foods as better options. Eat dinner at a table and focus on each other. Pleasant topics at mealtime will help make dinner that much more enjoyable. Limit screen time. TV viewing has a direct correlation to obesity. Aim for less than two hours of TV per day. Listen to your child. If they are hungry, serve fruits or vegetables as between-meal snacks. Encourage physical activity. Play with your child and encourage outside activities. And, be an example. Research shows that children of parents who exercise are more likely to exercise as they grow up. Be sure to use safety gear such as bike helmets or other sport- specific gear. Don’t force it. Offer one new food at a time. Serve something your child likes along with the new food. Avoid lecturing or forcing your child to eat. Cook together, eat together, talk together and make mealtime family time! You can find more information on childhood eating at EllynSatterinstitute.org or at choosemyplate.gov. Authors By Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford, nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them call 443-481-5555. Originally published Sept. 11, 2017. Last updated Oct. 23, 2019.0
- General Page Tier 3BlogWith the holiday season in full swing, you’re likely to be surrounded by food for the next month or so. Family get-togethers, office potlucks and holiday parties offer opportunities to indulge in your favorite holiday treats. You can celebrate with a little less guilt by bringing healthier baked goods to the spread, says Devon Forbes, RDN, bariatric dietitian at AAMC. “When you contribute your own dish that is healthier and lower in fat, you’ll know there is something you can go to if you’re leery of the other baked goods,” Devon says. Fortunately, there are some tricks to preparing delicious, heart-healthy baked goods. One trick is to substitute ingredients in your favorite recipes with healthier alternatives. If you’re concerned about how these substitutions will affect the taste of your favorite desserts, Devon says not to worry. “I’ve used applesauce in place of fats before. The substitutions can actually make for better consistency and provide more nutrients,” she says. “You might have to play around with the recipe to get it right, but cutting the calories, sugar and fat makes it worth trying.” View Devon Forbes’ recipe for Baked Apples with Oat Topping. Find more healthy recipes from our registered dietitians. Author Devon Forbes, RDN, is a bariatric dietitian at AAMC. Originally published Dec. 2, 2016. Last updated Nov. 19, 2018.0
- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogYou may have heard a friend talking about her pelvic floor or you’ve seen a pelvic exercise printable on Pinterest. Maybe your doctor mentioned it during a routine exam. But what exactly is the pelvic floor? Where is it, what does it do — or in many cases not do? Your pelvic floor supports several organs and when it is weakened or not functioning properly, it can lead to a number of uncomfortable and inconvenient disorders. If you are one of the millions of women getting up several times in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, wearing pads every day, having painful sex, feeling heaviness and vaginal bulging, or sprinting to the bathroom, here’s what you need to know. What is the pelvic floor? Your pelvis is a bone, so you may assume the pelvic floor is also made of bone; however, the pelvic floor is an area of muscles that resembles a hammock spanning from the pubic bone to the bottom of the spine. These muscles support and help to control the vagina, uterus, bladder, urethra and rectum. When the pelvic floor weakens, those organs can drop and may have trouble functioning normally. Imagine a trampoline taut and sturdy, holding up and supporting the weight of your body as you jump. The base of the trampoline expands and contracts based on your movement and control. Now, picture the trampoline fibers beginning to wane, the middle sags, the function worsens and control becomes difficult. The pelvic floor can weaken like this. That’s why it’s important to watch for symptoms that, while common, can mean you have a pelvic floor disorder. How do I know my pelvic floor isn’t doing its job? Because the pelvic floor is supporting several different organs, you may experience a variety of symptoms depending on how the structure of the pelvic floor has shifted. Many women will experience incontinence, which is the leaking of urine. Others may have trouble emptying their bladder or bowels. Some are always running to the bathroom, are up going at 3 am or have pain during sex. Often as the pelvic floor weakens, a woman may start to feel a heaviness down below and eventually even a physical bulging of tissue presents itself externally, which is a sign of pelvic organ prolapse. Any and all of these symptoms can happen separately or together. How did this happen? There is often no single cause for pelvic floor disorders, but childbirth, age, hormonal changes, obesity, smoking, constipation and chronic heavy lifting are usually factors. Is there anything I can do? Yes! Talk to your health care provider about all of your symptoms. Don’t be embarrassed; pelvic floor disorders are very common. Chances are you know several other women experiencing the same issues as you, they’re just not talking about it. Solutions can include physical therapy, home exercises, medication or non-invasive surgery. The takeaway is that these inconvenient and uncomfortable changes in your body, though very common, deserve treatment. You don’t have to live with pelvic floor issues. Who can help? As part of a relatively new field of medicine, a urogynecologist is an OB-GYN with additional training and expertise in the evaluation and treatment of conditions that affect the female pelvic organs, as well as the muscles and tissue that support these organs. The Women’s Center for Pelvic Health at Anne Arundel Medical Center has a fellowship-trained team of doctors and nurse practitioners who specialize in the care of female pelvic health disorders. Team members collaborate on care for patients of all ages, from those with minor issues to individuals suffering from complex conditions requiring advanced surgery and care. For each patient, they will conduct a thorough review of medical history, conduct a physical exam, lab studies and advanced imaging and testing to develop individualized treatment plans based on your needs and goals. Author Kay Hoskey, MD, is a urogynecologist with AAMC’s Women’s Center for Pelvic Health. Contact the Women’s Center for Pelvic Health at 443-481-1199 to schedule a consultation to help guide you to the right solutions to meet your needs and health goals. Originally published April 23, 2018. Last updated May 14, 2019.0
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