This year roughly 270,000 women in the U.S. will find out that they have breast cancer. While the main treatment for breast cancer is surgery, it is often followed by radiation therapy to decrease the risk of the cancer recurring.I’ve been a radiation oncologist since 2001, and in that time there have been significant advances in our field, especially when it comes to treating breast ...

Dear Doctor,My mom and grandmother both had breast cancer. I’m assuming it’s genetic, but I’ve never gotten the test to confirm. Should I get tested—and how can I reduce the risk of getting it myself?Sincerely,“Concerned and Curious”Dear Concerned:I understand why you’re worried.Anywhere from about 5% to 10% of all breast cancer cases are hereditary—meaning they’re caused by a gene ...

“You need a biopsy.”It was not what I expected to hear at my routine mammogram—as the radiologist talked, all I could think was, “What the…?!”But what seemed like the worst day ever may have been my lucky break. That mammogram in my late 40s had detected a warning sign: a tiny cluster of calcification in my left breast. I needed a stereotactic core needle biopsy, a procedure where the ...

The relaunch of youth sports in the setting of COVID poses many challenges to sports medicine professionals and parents alike. Sports play a central role in our family, and with three active young boys, the pandemic has drastically altered this part of our lives.My 9-year-old son is a competitive swimmer. Before the pandemic hit New York he had just qualified for Junior Olympics, a goal ...

Colon cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable.Phelps Hospital, Northwell Health, is at the forefront of innovation in cancer care, using advanced technology, testing, and treatments. Colorectal cancer, unlike other cancers, is preventable if detected early. However, only 63% of patients over age 50 had some form of screening like a colonoscopy or Cologuard testing. We are ...

In honor of National Fall Prevention Awareness Day on September 22, 2020, Phelps Hospital, Northwell Health is committed to educating our community about preventing falls and improving your balance. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 out of 4 older adults fall each year in the United States. Phelps wants to help you stay safe and physically active so you can ...

Prevention, a pillar of good health, includes screening to detect and treat diseases early. There is debate, however, about the value of prostate cancer screening for men who have no symptoms. Although such screening may lead to early detection and treatment, it may also reveal cancer that needs no treatment. You and your doctor will base the benefits of screening on your individual ...

The thyroid: your body’s regulatorAt the front of your neck, under your voice box, there is a butterfly-shaped organ whose release of hormones affects every part of your body, regulating functions such as your temperature, metabolism, and heartbeat. It is your thyroid gland.Thyroid glands commonly malfunction, typically by over- or under-producing hormones. More than 12% of the U.S. ...

Dear Doctor:Like many families, we are coming off a few months with the kids cooped up inside. Summer is officially in full swing, but camp and other summer sports are either canceled or curtailed, and I’m becoming concerned with keeping my kids physically active. What strategies can I use to get them off their screens and outside without turning into a 24/7 nag?Signed,“Housebound But ...

Dear Doctor,My partner and I were planning to start trying for a baby this year—but then COVID-19 hit. Now, instead of excitement at the thought of growing our family, I find myself worrying about all of the uncertainties. Do you think it’s still safe to try and get pregnant right now?Sincerely,“Pondering Parenthood”Dear Pondering:There's no right or wrong when it comes to family ...