- Cancer Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogA diagnosis of breast cancer often leads women to reevaluate their nutrition and health practices. Some may reflect on what diet or lifestyle habits they have that may have increased their risk of getting cancer. No food or diet can prevent you from getting breast cancer, but some foods may make your body the healthiest it can be by boosting your immunity and keeping your risk for breast cancer minimized. Breast cancer is less common in countries where the typical diet is plant based and low in total fat. More research is needed to better understand the effect of diet on breast cancer risk, but it is clear that calories do count and fat is a major source of calories. Overweight women are believed to be at higher risk for breast cancer because the extra fat cells make estrogen, which can cause extra breast cell growth. This extra growth may increase the risk of breast cancer. I recommend you implement these strategies to reduce your risk: Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables (more than five cups per day). Fruits and vegetables have higher nutrient content, lower fat and higher fiber compared to animal products. Consider buying one new fruit or vegetable at every grocery shopping trip. Also, substitute zucchini noodles for pasta, and add vegetables with pesto. Add new vegetables to familiar recipes where vegetables are already present, such as stews, soups, chili, enchiladas, or pasta salads. Add broccoli, tomatoes, or squash to scrambled eggs or omelets. Plus, freeze grapes and berries in single serving containers for a cool treat. Limit your fat intake Try to make your fat intake less than 20 percent of your total calories per day. To do this use flavored vinegars instead of regular salad dressings. Remember olive oil is a healthier oil, but it still has 120 calories per tablespoon just like all other oils so try a spray bottle to dispense. Use broth, bullion or juice instead of oil or butter, and omit fried foods, heavy sauces, gravies, and cheeses. Mix up your protein options Some research suggests there may be a link between eating red meat and breast cancer. Most of the concern is about processed meats and beef given extra hormones and antibiotics. You can use lentils or beans as your main dish, such as chili, or three-bean salad or in enchiladas. Legumes also contain protective phytochemicals, fiber and folate. Try fish, chicken, nut butters, eggs and tofu as alternate protein sources. Add healthy choices to your diet and make positive behavior changes Eating more fiber can make you feel full longer, making you less likely to overeat. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are ideal sources. Choose high fiber cereal with more than 5 grams or more per serving. Add kidney, black or pinto beans into soups and salads. Consider buying organic There is a concern that chemicals used to grow food may cause health problems, including increasing breast cancer risk. To reduce your exposure to pesticides, you may want to buy organically grown produce and dairy products. Choose small portions Meat portions should be 3 ounces—the size of a deck of cards—eaten one or two times per day. Two-thirds of your plate should be composed of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and/or beans. Move more Being physically active is one of the best things you can do for your health. Aim for 30 minutes most days of the week, with strength training at least twice per week. Making healthy lifestyle choices has benefits at any age. Maintaining healthy weight, eating a well-balanced diet, being more active and aware of your health can be physically and mentally rewarding at any point in life. Author By Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford, nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them call 443-481-5555.
- Community, Patient & Family Advisors, Women's Health, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf there’s one thing Michelle Hamill has learned in two seasons of filming her own TLC reality show, Our Little Family, it’s that “perfect is boring.” The Annapolis native says that when her family, who all have achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism, was first approached with the idea of appearing on a television show, she was nervous. But now, looking back, she says, “It’s been a wonderful experience.” Moms from all around the country have written her to say how she’s an inspiration for parents everywhere. Michelle’s parenting journey with husband Dan started right here at Anne Arundel Medical Center, where all three of their children were born. “Since I was having a C-section, the team of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals put together an individualized care plan for me,” Michelle says. Wanting to give back, she became a founding member of the Women’s and Children’s Patient and Family Advisory Committee, which is made up of former patients and staff who come together regularly to share ideas to improve the patient and family experience. “Michelle was a very determined child,” says Maureen Parisi, Michelle’s mom, who has worked in various administrative roles at AAMC for almost 25 years. “When Michelle was growing up, she had jobs at home, like sorting the laundry. We had stools all over the house to encourage her independence. If she wanted a glass of water, she got a chair and got it herself—and that’s how she’s raising her kids. When I go over to their house for dinner, my six-year-old grandson Jack asks if he can get me a glass of water.” Because she is playing herself and not a character, Michelle is as beautiful and confident in person as she is on TV. “I want to teach my children to have a voice,” she says. “I am raising them to be kind, independent people and enjoy life. My mother taught me that my size was never the reason why I couldn’t do something,” she says. “If I want to go rock climbing, I can.” Watch “Our Little Family” on TLC.
- Giving, News & Press Releases, Women's Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogFor patients and supporters of AAMC, there are many ways to give back. Here is a roundup of some current charitable programs. Honor your child with the Kids Who Care campaign Kids Who Care gives families an opportunity to celebrate the beautiful children in their lives and support AAMC’s vision of providing comprehensive 24/7 care to children in our community. Your child can be recognized on an icon on this special wall outside the Anne Arundel Medical Center Pediatrics Department. When you donate to AAMC’s Pediatric Department wall of honor, your child becomes part of a legacy for future generations, and your gift has a tremendous and direct impact on the care of thousands of our youngest patients and their families.Will your child be a fish, a sailboat or a bird on our Kids Who Care wall? Call the AAMC Foundation at 443-481-4747 to reserve your location. Denim & Diamonds Bash The inaugural Denim & Diamonds Bash held April 25, 2015, was a huge success! Thank you to the more than 760 people who joined Denim & Diamonds Chairs Claudia and Randy Boldyga for a night of fun, food and dancing under the stars. Thanks to our committee members, generous sponsors and supporters, as well as an expansive silent auction, the Bash raised $595,000 to support the Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Clatanoff Pavilion renovation, which will impact more than 25,000 women, children and families who rely on AAMC to provide high-quality healthcare. Thanks to Denim & Diamonds Bash Chairs Claudia and Randy Boldyga, president and CEO of RxNT.
- Giving, News & Press Releases, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIn 1981, Tom Frank moved his family to Anne Arundel County and purchased Shady Oaks Marina in West River, dedicating the next three decades of his life to building the busiest boat dealership in the county. Now retired and living in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Tom and his wife Nancy wanted to give back, but where and how were the real questions. “It was easier to earn the money than it was to figure out who to give my earnings to—who would use my gift to really make an impact,” says Tom. “There are a number of great institutions to choose from. We felt members of this community helped us build our business here, and our family has received great care at Anne Arundel Medical Center, so we decided we wanted to give back here.” Ultimately, the Frank family presented AAMC’s birth center with a $3 million donation that includes a cash donation and a future estate gift. “Anne Arundel Medical Center’s birth center has meaning to us. Our dear friends had children who received excellent treatment in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit–Teddy’s Place. We are delighted to be able to help AAMC continue to help children in the community. A child with a health problem is the most painful thing to my heart,” says Tom. Their generous donation will help fund services and technologies, such as an expanded neonatal nurse navigator program, a new inpatient maternal-fetal testing site for high-risk obstetrical patients, and other advancements designed to enhance the patient’s and family’s experience. As a result of the Franks’ generosity, the second and third floors of the Clatanoff Pavilion have been renamed The Thomas J. Frank Family Birth Center. “We are extremely grateful for the Frank family gift. As the second-busiest birthing center in Maryland and one that takes care of a large number of high-risk pregnancies, expanding care and services to include the latest in technology and diagnostic testing is essential,” says Henry Sobel, MD, AAMC’s chair of women’s and children’s services. Call the AAMC Foundation at 443-481-4747 or visit the Foundation website to learn how you can help.
- Men's Health, Orthopedics, Women's Health, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogTo avoid injury, it’s best to match the exercise routine to a specific goal. Then, make sure you are doing the exercise the right way and not too often. If you’re not sure about which type of exercise is right for you, your doctor can help you choose what’s best for your lifestyle and health. If you do have an injury, like plantar fasciitis in your foot, the first step is good rehab. That could be as simple as putting a water bottle in the freezer, then rolling it on the foot to stretch out the plantar fascia. Hamstring stretches can help, as can stretching out the Achilles tendon, because it attaches to the heel, which goes to the plantar fascia. The recommendation is about 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week. There is a limit, and once you go past that limit, you’re more prone to injuries. It all depends on level of activity and how you are progressing toward your goal. The idea is to be progressive, not aggressive. Let your body be your guide. Author By Tim Romanoski, MD, a board-certified family physician at AAMG Centreville Family Medicine specializing in primary care sports medicine. To reach him, call 410-758-3303.
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