- Wellness, Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe saying “you are what you eat” is more than just a catchphrase, it holds the key to potentially lowering your risk of cancer. According to the World Health Organization, adopting a healthy lifestyle, which includes maintaining an ideal body weight and eating a nourishing diet, can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing cancer. But how can you achieve this? Here are things to include in your diet and what to avoid. Foods to add to your diet 1. Beans Beans and other legumes can give you fiber, which helps your gut and immune health—and can help prevent colorectal cancer. While all beans are beneficial, lentils offer the best protection. 2. Berries Berries like strawberries, blueberries and cranberries are full of antioxidants like vitamin C, and compounds called cyanidins, which protect your cells from stress and inflammation that could lead to cancer. 3. Broccoli Broccoli and other cruciferous foods like cauliflower, cabbage and kale have special plant compounds that help cells remove toxins and protect themselves. Studies show that eating these vegetables four or five times a week can reduce your risk of colorectal, prostate, bladder and breast cancer. 4. Nuts Studies have shown that tree nuts can help you prevent cancers in the digestive system. Common tree nuts, such as pecans, walnuts and almonds, have high levels of plant compounds called ellagitannins that can help gut bacteria stop cancer from growing. It’s best to choose unsalted and unsweetened nuts. If you don’t like them raw, mix the nuts into steamed vegetables, stir-fry, or salads. 5. Tomatoes Tomatoes are full of an antioxidant called lycopene, which may fight prostate cancer, according to many studies over the years. Other studies say that tomatoes (and tomato products such as tomato sauce) can lower your risk for breast, lung and colorectal cancer. Foods to avoid 1. Alcohol Alcohol, including beer, wine and spirits, causes tissue damage which can lead to changes in cells and increase your risk for cancer. If you don’t want to avoid alcohol entirely, try limiting yourself to one drink per day if you’re a woman, and two drinks per day if you’re a man. 2. Food and drinks with added sugar Candy, cookies and soda can lead to obesity, which in turn can increase your risk for cancer. Experts suggest you limit the amount of food and drinks in your diet that have added sugar. While diet sodas have no sugar and fewer calories, they lack essential nutrients found in water. 3. Fried foods When starchy foods are cooked at high temperatures (such as during the process of frying), they form a compound called acrylamide. Some studies have shown that acrylamide can damage cells, leading to a higher risk of cancer. Fried foods can also lead to obesity, which increases your risk for cancer. Air frying is a healthier alternative to than frying in traditional oil. It reduces calories by as much as 80% and significantly decreases fat content. 4. Processed meats This category includes most of the meats behind the deli counter, as well as hot dogs, ham, sausage, and anything sold in a pre-packaged container. These meats are often preserved using nitrates and nitrates, which increase your risk for colorectal and stomach cancers. 5. Red meats Researchers have found that consuming red meats such as beef, pork and lamb can increase your risk for colorectal cancer. Dietitians recommend eating less than 18 ounces of red meat each week. Balance is Key When it comes to healthy eating, it’s important to remember that finding a balance is essential to your overall success. Adding these cancer-fighting foods — and avoiding cancer-causing ones — as often as you’re able, can help you manage your risks. But making big, sweeping changes to your diet can sometimes be counterproductive. Be sure to start with small changes you know you can maintain. Finally, ongoing conversations with your primary care provider can help you better understand your personal cancer risk, and help you navigate any needed changes. To manage your overall wellness as well as cancer risks, schedule a visit with a primary care provider at Luminis Health Primary Care.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIn honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center is hosting its annual Pink Ribbon Rally Saturday, October 5 on our Lanham campus. The event aims to spotlight the importance of breast cancer awareness and the crucial role of early detection through mammograms. The Pink Ribbon Rally will feature no cost mammograms and clinical breast screenings, as well as life-saving information about the signs, symptoms, and early detection of breast cancer. “Breast cancer impacts lives profoundly, especially in Prince George’s County,” said Deneen Richmond, president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. “By moving the event to Saturday, we hope to make it more accessible for residents and neighbors to join us. Meeting breast cancer survivors and hearing their inspiring stories always moves me, and I take comfort in knowing that we’re raising awareness and offering hope to the many women in our community fighting breast cancer.”Prince George’s County has one of the highest mortality rates of Breast Cancer in Maryland. To address this critical issue, Luminis Health is currently in the third year of a $1.3M state grant to provide breast cancer screenings to women in Prince George’s County. Thanks to this funding, the health system has administered more than 2,300 no cost breast cancer screenings, significantly advancing our efforts to combat breast cancer in the community. “This event empowers women to get a mammogram because it saves lives,” said Dr. Regina Hampton, breast cancer surgeon at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. “With one in eight women in the United States facing a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, and breast cancer being a leading cause of death among women in Prince George’s County, I encourage every woman to start getting mammograms at age of 40, or earlier if they have a family history.”In addition to mammograms, the Pink Ribbon Rally will offer resources and guidance from local organizations, support groups, and healthcare professionals. There will also be inspirational stories from breast cancer survivors, bra fittings, live music, food, and games.Event DetailsDate: Saturday, October 5, 2024Time: 11 am to 3 pmAddress: 8118 Good Luck Road, LanhamAdmission: Free and open to the public
- Heart Care, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMike Tennor of Columbia, Maryland stayed physically active for years. He played racquetball and handball for decades and as he reached his 70s, traded in those sports for walking and exercising on an indoor bike to go easy on his joints. While on a walk with his daughter, he began to feel short of breath after walking just a quarter of a mile. He took a break and continued to walk but felt short of breath several times. When they returned home, he told his wife of 50-plus years that he didn’t feel well during the walk, and she recommended they seek medical care. Tennor visited an urgent care facility and a high-sensitivity troponin T test showed that he had experienced a heart attack. He was taken by ambulance to Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC). At the medical center, it was determined that he had blockage in three arteries. He was scheduled for a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. “For Mr. Tennor, the CABG was needed to restore blood flow to the areas of his heart that were not getting enough blood due to the blockages. This surgery improves heart function, especially for those who have recently had a heart attack,” says Murtaza Dawood, MD, the cardiothoracic surgeon who treated Tennor. The surgery took place in February 2024. Tennor states, “Dr. Dawood and his staff were fantastic. He answered any questions we had and we could not have asked for better care.” Following the surgery, Tennor recovered in the Zazulia Heart and Vascular Center, which is an inpatient unit for those with heart conditions. After 36 one-hour sessions of cardiac rehab, Tennor was back to staying physically active. He still walks and uses an indoor bike, and he goes to the gym three times a week. On September 7, 2024, he had his 80th birthday. His wife and two daughters planned a celebration for him in their home of 30-plus years. In addition to staying active, he and his wife dedicate their time to several non-profits. He has two degrees in mathematics and taught high school mathematics for 16 years before learning computer programming in the 1970s. He left his teaching career for a role with Apple in the 1980s, and following that he worked for Lockheed Martin as a programmer analyst. During his time there he received a top secret clearance twice and worked on projects for a variety of government agencies. Today, he uses his background in computers to help non-profits manage their websites. He and his wife love to travel and they have plans to visit Spain and Portugal this fall.
- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMenopause is one of the most common medical conditions in the world, and one of the least understood. Hot flashes, sleepless nights, and mood swings can all be signs of this major hormonal shift. But symptoms differ from woman to woman, and may be severe or mild. Here’s what you need to know about the signs of menopause — and what options are available to treat them. What Is Menopause? Menopause occurs when you stop having periods. Officially, it begins 12 months after your last period. Menopause occurs because your body makes less of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone, and your ovaries stop releasing eggs. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health, the average age of menopause in the United States is 52. But you might have irregular periods and menopausal symptoms for years before that, during the transition time known as perimenopause. Perimenopause usually lasts about four years, and typically starts in your mid-40s — although the time frame can vary. Symptoms like hot flashes can persist for more than a decade after menopause. Signs of Menopause Every woman’s experience is unique, and yours may be different from your friends or relatives. The intensity of symptoms can also vary greatly. Generally speaking, these are the most common symptoms of menopause: Hot flashes — a feeling of warmth that suddenly spreads over your whole body, sometimes followed by a chill. Hot flashes usually start in your upper body, especially around your face and neck. The sensation might be as short as 30 seconds or last up to 10 minutes. The frequency varies — hot flashes can happen rarely, once or twice a day, or several times an hour. Mood swings — your shifting hormones may cause you to feel irritable, moody, forgetful, or depressed. Difficulty sleeping — you may have trouble falling asleep, or may wake up in the middle of the night with night sweats. Many women have trouble falling back to sleep once awake. Vaginal dryness — during the menopausal transition, vaginal tissue becomes thinner and drier, which can make sex painful. Loss of interest in sex — your libido may diminish as your hormones change. Body changes — as hormone levels decline, you may lose muscle mass and gain fat around your waist. Your hair may thin out and your skin could become drier. Aches and pains — many women experience headaches, joint pain, or muscle pain during menopause. How to Ease Symptoms of Menopause It’s important to talk to your doctor about your menopause symptoms. If you’re suffering, there is hope by taking the following steps: Hormone therapy Your doctor may recommend hormone therapy for relieving hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweats, and mood swings. Hormone therapy may also help prevent bone fractures from osteoporosis, decrease your chances of developing heart disease, and lower your risk of dementia. The two types of hormone therapy are: Estrogen therapy — your doctor may recommend estrogen therapy if you had a hysterectomy (removal of your uterus). It comes in patch, pill, cream, gel, spray, or vaginal ring form. Combination therapy — uses both estrogen and progesterone in pill or patch form. It is for women who still have a uterus. Progesterone is used in various birth control methods, but can also help treat symptoms of menopause. Lifestyle changes There are many things you can do at home to help ease menopause symptoms. Consider trying the following: Eat a healthy diet. Eating fried, high-calorie, or fatty foods and drinking sugary soda can make menopausal symptoms worse. Prioritize sleep. Shortchanging rest can aggravate menopausal symptoms. Try to avoid hot flash triggers like caffeine, spicy foods, alcohol, hot weather, and stress. Use vaginal lubricants to make sex more comfortable. Exercise to relieve stress and improve your overall health. If you smoke, make a plan to quit. Smoking can trigger hot flashes and even lead to earlier menopause. To Get Help for Symptoms of Menopause There’s no need to suffer with menopausal symptoms. Make an appointment with a Luminis Health OB-GYN. Ifeyinwa Stitt, MD is an obstetrician gynecologist at Luminis Health.
- Heart Care, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones tragically passed away from hypertensive cardiovascular disease in July at the age of 40, it brought attention to a disease that millions of Americans are at risk for – and that many don’t even know they have. That’s why it is important to take steps to reduce your risk of hypertensive cardiac disease and other dangerous heart conditions. What is hypertensive heart disease? Hypertensive cardiovascular disease, or hypertensive heart disease, is a condition caused by having high blood pressure over a long period of time. High blood pressure puts extra strain on your heart, forcing it to work harder to pump blood throughout your body, which can lead to damage over time. This damage can lead to heart attacks, heart failure, strokes and other health problems. High blood pressure is defined as pressure that is consistently above 130/80 mmHg. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, but just a quarter have it under control. That’s because many may not know they have high blood pressure in the first place. In addition to heart attacks, heart failure and strokes, high blood pressure can put you at greater risk for conditions like: Atherosclerosis, including coronary artery disease Atrial fibrillation (AFib) Aortic Dissection or Rupture Congestive heart failure Kidney disease Retinal problems The risk of heart disease generally goes up with age, and those who have a family history of heart disease may be at higher risk. Athletes or other active people may be prone to hypertensive cardiovascular disease after they wrap up their careers and their activity level decreases. Even people who have lived very active lives can be diagnosed with heart disease. For example, arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease (or the buildup of plaque or cholesterol on the walls of the arteries) played a role in the death of fitness guru Richard Simmons. Warning signs of cardiovascular disease High blood pressure usually doesn’t present symptoms, making it challenging to diagnose and treat. However, over time, high blood pressure can cause damage to your heart and lead to symptoms like: Chest pain Dizziness or fainting Heart attack or stroke Irregular, rapid or pounding heartbeat Shortness of breath It’s important to see your primary care provider and check your blood pressure regularly. Your care team will monitor your risk factors, including a family history of hypertension. Depending on your risk factors, your provider may recommend additional testing. These tests may include blood and urine tests or an electrocardiogram (EKG). How to prevent cardiovascular disease Managing your blood pressure can greatly lower your risk of dangerous cardiac events like heart attacks and strokes. That includes living a heart-healthy lifestyle by: Getting enough sleep Lowering your stress Maintaining a healthy weight Quitting smoking Reducing salt intake Reducing alcohol consumption Staying physically active Treating chronic conditions like sleep apnea, high cholesterol, diabetes and kidney disease How to treat cardiovascular disease Your provider will likely recommend adjusting lifestyle factors as a first line of treatment for hypertensive cardiovascular disease. If these adjustments don’t bring your blood pressure down, or if your heart has already sustained damage from high blood pressure over time, your care team may recommend medications as a next step. There are many kinds of blood pressure medications (or antihypertensives) including: ACE inhibitors Beta-Blockers Calcium channel blockers Diuretics (thiazide) All medicines can have side effects and it’s important to understand these impacts. Take medications as directed and follow up with your provider if you have any questions. Protecting your heart in the long run High blood pressure might not cause symptoms by itself, but it can be dangerous if left untreated. If you experience concerning symptoms, we have a number of Luminis Health primary care doctors ready to help, as well as cardiovascular specialists and heart surgeons with all the experience and expertise you need. Follow your doctor’s recommendations for taking medications or change your lifestyle. Your heart will thank you. About the Author: Luminis Health Chief of Heart Surgery David J. Caparrelli, MD. Dr. Caparrelli has more than 20 years of experience in both cardiac and vascular surgery.
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