- 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
- General Page - Tier 2Directivas Anticipadas en español Descargue nuestro paquete de información para directivas anticipadas en español.Prepare for the FutureWhile death is a natural part of life, many people find it hard to bring up end-of-life discussions with their loved ones and even their doctors. But it can save you and your family a lot of headaches and heartaches in the future., Support for End-of-Life IssuesIf you've been diagnosed with a life-threatening or life-limiting condition, you may need help coping emotionally. Counseling helps many people. Anne Arundel Medical Center has professionals who are trained and experienced in helping people cope with end-of-life issues.A support group can offer a chance to share your feelings and concerns with others who understand. Many people find comfort and answers through a support group.If you're in crisis, call for help now. You can call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available by dialing 9-8-8.The Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency offers a Crisis Warmline 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 410-768-5522. Other hotlines and resources are available for people facing all kinds of issues. Palliative Care or Hospice?Many people don't understand the difference between palliative care and hospice. Hospice provides care and support for people who are very near the end of life, when recovery is no longer possible. Patients and their families can often benefit from hospice care at home or in a health care facility.Palliative care is for anyone with a serious illness or condition, whether or not it's life threatening. It helps you cope with living with your condition, through pain control, medication management and other support. You can benefit from palliative care while you're being treated.0
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