New York City is one of the chief centers for cancer care, not only in the United States, but all over the world. With world-renown research hospitals specializing in cancer research and care, such as Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Research Center, New York Presbyterian, and New York University’s Langone Medical Center, it is not surprising that some of the country’s top doctors, and most advanced treatments are found here. Cancer specialists, such as hematologist Kenneth D. Nahum, ophthalmic oncologist David H. Abramson, and dermatologist David Polsky, are experts in their fields, and up-to-date on the latest research, medications and technologies available for treatment of a large variety of cancers and related ailments. For instance, at New York Presbyterian, new treatments are constantly being developed for blood-related cancers, which, as a hematologist, would be of great interest to Dr. Kenneth Nahum. There are new treatments being developed now which could treat any of the three main types of hematologic cancers: Leukemia, which is a cancer of the bone marrow cells; Lymphoma, which effects lymphocytes which help to fight infections; and Myeloma, which is a cancer of the plasma cells which are also part of the immune system. At Memorial Sloan Kettering, where Dr. David Abramson practices, there are several studies now underway to assess a new technique called photodynamic therapy for patients with prostate, esophageal, breast and bladder cancers. The therapy involves a compound derived from chlorophyll, which is found in plants and bacteria, and its activation with light. So far, the trials have shown much promise, with little side effects and relatively fast results. At the Langone Medical Center, where Dr. David Polsky specializes in melanoma, mole and skin cancer, new gene-based blood tests to identify skin cancers are being developed. In a report from the Center, two new blood tests have proven to be reliable in the detection of hitherto unidentifiable forms of skin cancer. The tests take only 48 hours, and were developed in partnership with Rio-Rad Laboratories in Hercules, California. Currently, the...
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In its efforts to keep the Zika virus from gaining a hold in New York City, the NYC Department of Health launched an interactive website as part of its $21 million, three-year education and prevention program. The website shows concerned citizens where mosquito surveillance and control activities are taking place around town, plus it shows how many mosquitoes there are left, and recent mosquito control operations by each city neighborhood. “Every day, members of our mosquito control team are collecting surveillance traps, investigating complaints of standing water, and using our tools to reduce the mosquito population,” city Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said. Although there have been no known cases of Zika being transmitted in New York City, all cases are travel related, there have been 483 people in the city diagnosed with the illness, and 49 of those pregnant. Zika is most harmful to unborn babies when their mothers contract the illness from mosquitoes carrying the virus. Unborn babies can develop life-threatening birth defects from Zika, such as microcephaly, blindness, deafness, seizures and...
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We all know how important environmentalism is in today’s world. But did you know that it took a woman from England to inspire action to do something about New York’s pollution back in the mid-1950s? In 1956, Hazel Henderson, the well-known futurist, immigrated to New York. Soon after her arrival in the US, she began a letter-writing campaign to clean up New York’s air. Reminded of London’s smog crisis of 1952, in which 4,000 people died, Henderson wrote letters to New York Mayor Robert Wagner describing the thick smog she observed from her apartment window. Wagner, in denial, retorted that what she saw was merely normal ‘mist’ rolling in from the sea. Henderson was not deterred, however, and proceeded to write letters to the presidents of major American broadcasting networks and sent copies to the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. These letters urged them to broadcast the index of air pollution each day along with the daily weather report. Her efforts were successful five weeks later when WABC-TV in New York City began to report on the air pollution index, with CBS and NBC soon following suit. Soon after, Henderson and two friends created Citizens for Clean Air, an organization to warn residents about the health hazards of air pollution. Membership grew quickly with about three-quarters of the 25,000 members being women. Since then women have been especially active in this important arena of public health and welfare. From such notable women as Sheryl Corrigan, former Commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, to Gina McCarthy, the current administrator for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, women have certainly made their mark in this important area of public...
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Conveniently located in Middle Village, New York, Dry Harbor Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center is a state-of-the-art facility which has been delivering excellent nursing care for more than 30 years. Today Dry Harbor is upgrading their Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation program, a program which includes a team of full-time specialists in their fields. Under the leadership of its Medical Director, Vincent Rappa, MD, the cardio-pulmonary department has succeeded in lowering the re-admission rate of the patients under the care of department. The three major divisions of the facility offer care on long-term and short-term basis. The departments, Rehab, Nursing and Nutrition, work together to insure that residents get the best possible care. The seven-day program includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Dry Harbor’s pulmonary and cardiac patients also receive cardio-pulmonary exercise testing, vestibular exercises, and oxygen saturation monitoring. Patients in the care of the staff at Dry Harbor receive other amenities which make their stay pleasant and enjoyable. Among those services, which are offered at no extra charge, are flowers upon admission, a complimentary set of clothes, a bouquet of flowers when being admitted and a 32-inch smart TV with internet. For more information about Dry Harbor Nursing Home visit their Facebook page; and to find third party reviews of the facility, turn to...
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A spokesperson for the New York State Department of Health did not say how many companies are applying for licenses to dispense medical marijuana, but he did say five licenses will be issued. Each license will allow each vendor the rights to establish four dispensaries throughout New York. One company, PalliaTech, signed a lease on a 3,000-square-foot space in downtown Brooklyn. The lease however is contingent on the company winning one of the five coveted licenses. The licensing competition is a result to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s signing of the Compassionate Care Act in 2014, legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes. However, unlike in California and other states with liberal medical marijuana regulations, New York State will have the country’s strictest regulations. The fact there will only be 20 dispensaries in a state as large as New York with a population of 20 million people, will make it not as ubiquitous as some might like. In addition, cannabis will not be available at all in plant form, so it cannot be smoked by users. Instead, users will need to ingest a highly refined version of the drug using vaporized oils, gel caps, nebulizers or other ways to achieve its medicinal effects. One other limiting factor is that only 10 illnesses will allow doctors to prescribe marijuana. “We believe that New York has set a national standard” said Andrei Bogolubov, the executive vice president of PalliaTech. “It will give doctors a tool so that they can finally unlock the therapeutic potential of cannabis, which is vast for patients in New York, and ultimately that will benefit people who suffer from...
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Navigating one’s way through an illness, or the difficulties of aging can be a daunting process. Luckily there are several organizations that exist to offer a helping hand through the complexities of confronting illness. Brooklyn-based Refuah Resources, headed by Rabbi Shuky Berman with Jack Lefkowitz co-chairing the board, specializes in making referrals, offering support, and acting as an advocate for patients and their families. Utilizing their excellent working relationships with highly regarded physicians and preeminent medical centers all over the world, Refuah Resources can truly make a life changing difference for the people that turn to them. Team Continuum is a unique organization which provides support for those with cancer and their families. There are several ways in which this support is delivered: Their Patient/Family Assistance Program pays the non-medical bills, such as rent, mortgage, car, gas, and more when there is a need. There is a Toys for Kids Program; and a program that helps improve communication between caregivers and patients through Narrative Workshops which use narrative medicine. Team Continuum raises money through having athletes participate in endurance events such as marathons. As the population in the US continues to age, organizations that help seniors will play an increasingly important role supporting the elderly. One such organization is BenefitsCheckUp. A free service of the National Council on Aging, BenefitsCheckUp helps those over 55 years old find the federal and local benefits available which could save them money. There are many more similar organizations helping people get through what can be one of the most difficult challenges life has to...
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