- Cancer Care, Digestive CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf you are under 50, getting screened for colorectal cancer should be a top priority. It’s a topic many don’t want to discuss, but you should. Even as overall cancer deaths continue to fall in the United States, the American Cancer Society reports that colon and rectal cancers have become leading causes of cancer death for men and women under 50. African Americans face a heightened risk as they are disproportionately more likely to develop and die from the disease. With March being Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, it’s a good time to raise awareness about the disease and promote early detection to save lives. This is such a life and death issue that Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center in Lanham and Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis are lit up in blue each night throughout the month. The rise in colorectal cancer in younger adults is alarming, and while the exact reasons remain unclear, it underscores the importance of understanding and addressing the risk factors. There are identifiable risk factors that you can modify to reduce the likelihood of developing colorectal cancer: Body weight Physical activity Diet (eat more fiber and less fatty and processed foods) Smoking Alcohol use The best way to treat colorectal cancer is to catch it early. There is a 91 percent survival rate after five years if detected in its earliest stages. Guidelines now recommend that adults of average risk start screening at age 45. If you have a family history or additional risk factors, talk with your physician about getting screened sooner. Routine screening is important because it can help doctors detect and diagnose colorectal cancer before you notice any symptoms, and doctors can find and remove pre-cancerous polyps before they develop into cancer. There are several types of screening in use today: Fecal occult blood test checks a stool sample for traces of blood that could indicate polyps, cancer or other conditions Sigmoidoscopy uses a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens to look inside the rectum and lower colon for polyps, abnormal areas or cancer Colonoscopy uses a small camera to allow doctors to look inside the rectum and colon for polyps, abnormal areas or cancer Virtual colonoscopy uses a series of X-rays to take a series of images of a patient’s colon DNA stool test checks for changes in the DNA in stool samples that could indicate disease. Improving access to screening and treatment in Prince George’s County Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center is proud to partner with Maryland’s Cancer, Prevention, Education, Screening, and Treatment (CPEST) program, which allocates funding to, among other things, make screenings available to Prince George’s County residents who lack insurance coverage. Over the past 18 months, the $850,000 grant has funded colonoscopies for 540 people ages 45 to 75 — averaging about 8% more people than its yearly target — and, of those, identified and treated five cases of colorectal cancer. If you are an uninsured or underinsured Prince George’s County resident who is 45 or older, you may qualify for a no cost colonoscopy through the CPEST Program. Please contact your physician for a referral. You can also call 301-552-7915 for further information. What it all means The earlier colorectal cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat and the more successful the outcome. Talk to your doctor about your risk factors, when you should be screened and the best screening method for you. The more proactive you are, the better. Authors Steven Fleisher, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist at Luminis Health with more than 20 years of experience
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC) has been recognized by Newsweek as one of the best hospitals in the United States. Out of the 412 hospitals named, LHAAMC ranks as the 90th best hospital nationwide for providing outstanding healthcare to patients. “This ongoing recognition by Newsweek is humbling and reflects the commitment and dedication of our team to prioritize patient care,” said Sherry Perkins, president of LHAAMC. “I extend my sincere gratitude to every member of our hospital and to our community for entrusting us with their healthcare needs for more than 120 years.” Newsweek partnered with Statista Inc. to rank leading hospitals, based on three data sources: medical experts, patient experience surveys and medical key performance indicators including: patient safety, hygiene measures and quality of treatment. According to Newsweek, each hospital’s score is based on an online survey of more than 85,000 medical experts and public data from post-hospitalization patient surveys on their general satisfaction. The score also considers metrics on things like hygiene and patient/doctor ratio as well as a Statista survey on whether hospitals use Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs), which are standardized questionnaires completed by patients to assess their experience and results. “Our team-based approach of caring for patients ensures we provide quality-driven and seamless healthcare throughout every stage of their medical journey with compassion and attention to a positive patient experience,” said Dr. Michael Webb, president of the medical staff at LHAAMC. “We strive every day to uphold Luminis Health’s mission of enhancing the health of the people and communities we are privileged to serve.”
- Surgery, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs February marks Heart Health Month, show your heart some love by eating a nutritious diet comprised of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking. Taking these steps can decrease the chance that you may need heart surgery one day, but if you do need heart surgery, medical advancements have improved options and outcomes for surgery patients. Here are five things you should know about heart surgery: If your arteries are blocked, surgery can help. A blocked blood vessel can lead to a heart attack, stroke and other problems. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the most common type of open heart surgery performed on adults today. The surgeon uses a blood vessel taken from another part of the body to provide an alternate route for blood to go around the blockage. When you have a valve that doesn’t work, doctors can replace it without surgery. Conditions like aortic stenosis can keep the heart valve from opening fully and make it difficult for blood to flow. Left untreated, aortic stenosis can damage the heart muscle and lead to severe complications. The good news is that aortic stenosis can be fixed without surgery. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is a game-changer. It is a minimally invasive alternative to a traditional surgical valve replacement, deploying artificial heart valves using small catheters. This avoids the need for open-heart surgery and can lead to less pain and faster recovery. TAVR demonstrates outstanding results, providing a viable treatment option for patients who previously had limited choices, ultimately extending their lives and enhancing their overall quality of life. Traditional surgery can work for a valve replacement, too. Certainly, open heart surgery remains a viable method for replacing a damaged heart valve. Surgeons have performed the procedure for more than 50 years, yet Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (SAVR) is still considered major surgery since it involves opening the chest to perform the procedure. Nevertheless, it has a high success rate, with a low likelihood of significant complications. You should treat a bulge in your blood vessel before it becomes an emergency. An aortic aneurysm is an enlargement of the aorta, which is the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. When an aneurysm gets too large, it can tear or rupture which may be life-threatening. There is a lot at stake, so it’s important to know the warning signs, which can include: Chest pain Coughing up blood Dizziness Hoarseness or trouble swallowing Pulsing near the belly button Shortness of breath Sudden and intense abdominal or back pain If you or a loved one have an aortic aneurysm, treatment often starts with medication and keeping a close eye on it. However, if it’s large or fast-growing, surgery may be the best option to replace the weak section of the aorta with a graft, or tube. Surgery can correct heart rhythm problems. Today, doctors can help arrhythmia issues. But when medications and catheter ablations don’t work, surgical ablations can be performed with improved success. If you are concerned about your heart health, schedule an appointment with a primary care provider or cardiologist. If heart surgery is recommended, we provide skilled, compassionate surgical care for all heart conditions at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. Consultations are available in Lanham, Annapolis, and Kent Island. Author Murtaza Dawood, MD is an experienced cardiothoracic surgeon who is recognized for performing operations for complex valve disease and atrial fibrillation. He is known for treating mitral valve regurgitation as well as aortic valve disease.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogHealth System will partner with Prince George’s County Public Schools to Offer Services and Training at High Schools (Lanham, Maryland) February 20, 2024- In response to the increasing demand for mental health services among young people, Luminis Health has been awarded a $1.6 million grant from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission. The non-profit regional health system will collaborate with Prince George’s County Public Schools by implementing comprehensive support services at six high schools. As part of the grant, Luminis Health will hire and deploy mental health providers directly to the schools, collaborating with school counselors to offer vital support to students and parents. These embedded providers will rotate through the schools, providing education and training to students, parents, and teachers, ensuring access to evidence-based screening tools for identifying individual needs and strengths on an ongoing basis. “Our mental health matters, and today’s teenagers are grappling with a mental health crisis of unprecedented proportions,” said Dr. Aliya Jones, executive medical director of Behavioral Health at Luminis Health. “By partnering with school counselors, teachers, parents and students, we can build strong bonds and connect with teenagers, fostering an environment of support for their mental health well-being and facilitating their growth.” In addition to placing mental health providers with expertise in adolescents within the schools, Luminis Health plans to implement a multifaceted approach to support students’ mental well-being. This includes training teachers to recognize warning signs of mental health issues and equipping them with the tools to provide appropriate support and referrals. Furthermore, students themselves will receive training on how to identify signs of distress in their classmates and provide effective peer support. Luminis Health has forged a strategic partnership with Prince George’s County Public Schools to ensure equitable access to care where it’s needed most. Through close collaboration with administrators, six high schools have been identified as priority locations for this initiative: Parkdale High School in Riverdale Park DuVal High School in Lanham Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt Northwestern High School in Hyattsville Bowie High School in Bowie Chesapeake Math and IT Academy North High School in Laurel Over the next few months, Luminis Health will recruit team members to support the services funded by the grant, including clinicians, therapists, addiction counselors, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses. The health system will begin working directly with school personnel in June, with plans to roll out the comprehensive services for students in the upcoming school year. “Over the past 4 years, Luminis Health has invested $110 million at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC) in Lanham, including opening a new Behavioral Health Pavilion to provide comprehensive mental health services,” said Tori Bayless, CEO of Luminis Health. “We extend our sincere appreciation to the State and County for their support in advancing our mission of enhancing the health of people we serve. These communities will benefit directly from this grant by expanding mental health options in Prince George’s County and enhancing accessibility by bringing programs directly into our schools.” The grant will additionally cover extended hours at the Behavioral Health Urgent Care walk-in clinic at LHDCMC, offering treatment for non-life-threatening mental health needs for individuals of all ages. The Maryland Community Health Resources Commission approved 129 grant awards totaling $111 million to expand access to comprehensive behavioral use services for children, kindergarten through high school, in every jurisdiction in Maryland. Funding to support these new programs was made available by the Maryland General Assembly under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.
- Behavioral HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen someone is experiencing depression, anxiety or substance misuse, it doesn’t just impact them – it impacts their family and their community. We all can do our part to watch for signs of mental health struggles in family and friends. But how do you know when you or a loved one is in a mental health crisis and needs to see a professional? Let’s take a look at the signs and symptoms that can indicate a need for treatment. Here are a few symptoms that indicate depression and substance use: Persistent sadness: A prolonged period of feeling sad, empty or hopeless. Loss of interest: Diminished interest or pleasure in previously enjoyed activities. Change in sleep patterns: Insomnia or lack of energy. Fatigue: A constant feeling of tiredness or lack of energy. Difficulty concentrating: Reduced ability to focus, make decisions, or remember details. Appetite changes: Significant weight loss or gain due to changes in eating habits. Irritability: Unexplained mood swings, increased irritability, or restlessness. Isolation: Withdrawing from friends, family, and social activities. When it comes to substance abuse, there are several signs that indicate a person needs help: Changes in behavior: Sudden and unexplained shifts in personality or actions. Neglecting responsibilities: Failing to fulfill work, school, or family obligations. Social withdrawal: Isolating from friends and family, preferring to be alone. Tolerance buildup: Needing more of the substance over time to achieve the same effects. Withdrawal symptoms: Physical and psychological reactions when substance use is reduced or stopped. Loss of control: Inability to cut down or control substance use. Continued use despite consequences: Continued substance use despite negative impact on health, relationships, or job. Secrecy with use: Hiding substance use and being dishonest about its extent. Financial issues: Experiencing money problems due to spending on substances. Legal problems: Getting into trouble with the law related to substance use. It’s important to understand that each person’s experience is different, and you may not experience or see every symptom on these lists. But if you read these lists and think it sounds like something you or a friend or family member are going through, it could be a mental health crisis so please contact a behavioral health professional. A provider can give an accurate diagnosis and provide guidance on treatment options. At Luminis Health, we offer a wide range of mental health services, including: Behavioral Health Walk-In Urgent Care – for moderate to severe psychiatric symptoms that need to be addressed in less than 24-72 hours Outpatient Treatment for Mental Health or Substance Use – For those who are able to wait for a scheduled appointment. Telehealth options are available. Inpatient Treatment for Mental Health or Substance Use – For those who need 24 hour treatment Please visit https://Luminis.Health/BehavioralHealth to schedule care.
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