The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

cancer screenings

Area Volunteers Working to “Tie the Town Pink” to Meet SOUL RYEDERS October Goal

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“We are so excited to see our community adorned in PINK again this October!” said Deborah Goldman, Byram Hills resident and member of the SOUL RYEDERS board of directors. Goldman and a group of helpful volunteers in Westchester communities will be busy “tying the town pink” in big, bright and beautiful pink ribbons beginning October 1. The goal? To support SOUL RYEDERS 2021 8th annual Tie the Town Pink Awareness Campaign, selling pink ribbons in Byram Hills, Rye, Harrison, Rye Brook and soon in other surrounding towns. Why the ribbons? Here’s how “SOUL RYEDERS” describes its TieTheTownPink mission:

“Once again, this year’s goal is to tie our communities together in support of anyone affected by any type of cancer, regardless of age or gender. All proceeds from the campaign benefit SOUL RYEDERS’ community-oriented, cancer-related programs and services. The secondary goal of this campaign is to emphasize the importance of annual cancer screenings. Because of the pandemic, many of us continue to cancel or delay essential annual medical check-ups, mammograms, skin cancer and other screenings. SOUL RYEDERS wants to encourage our community to make these appointments now for their own health and well-being.

Started in 2014, TieTheTownPink is one of SOUL RYEDERS’ most successful campaigns in both the donations it brings to the organization, as well as the legions of volunteers ages 6 – 86 working together to deliver and tie hundreds of ribbons throughout our communities on the first day of October. Last year over 50 volunteers participated in a safe and socially distant way! They drove around our towns to tie ribbons on more than 750 homes. This rewarding volunteer opportunity is one that can be alone, along with family or as part of an organization or club. The Covid-19 pandemic continues to place a strain on many of our local businesses and therefore, SOUL RYEDERS is once again donating ribbons to those businesses that have supported our TieTheTownPink campaign since 2018 as a THANK YOU for the continuous generosity they spread throughout our community.

SOUL RYEDERS announced new ribbons this year! “Our new ribbons are made from 100% natural burlap material, are environmentally friendly and have been handmade in Wisconsin.”

TieTheTownPink ribbon sales began in late August and will continue throughout September culminating in adorning and tie-ing ribbons October 1st – 3rd.

The ribbons are available for sale online on the SOUL RYEDERS website. SOUL RYEDERS is proud to support our community through our programs, events and campaigns. Your generosity enables us to  continue to be a resource for so many in our area. SOUL RYEDERS® is a community-driven organization supporting and connecting those impacted by cancer regardless of gender, type of cancer or age.

For more information, visit: https://www.soulryeders.org/

Worrisome Stats Point to Need to Discuss Cancer Screenings with Your Doctor

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MOUNT KISCO, NY– In conjunction with National Cancer Prevention Month this February and with declines in cancer screenings during the coronavirus pandemic, Dr. Lev Davidson, director of Northwell Health’s Cancer Institute at Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH), urges patients to discuss cancer screening with their physicians.       

Dr. Lev Davidson, director of Northwell Health’s Cancer Institute at Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH)

“Patients are putting off screenings until it’s potentially too late for effective treatment because the disease has advanced so far,” says Dr. Davidson. “This is an unnecessary tragedy.  While no two people have the same cancer risk, those at high risk due to heredity or other factors, should not delay screening.”

The downward trend in cancer screenings is worrisome. In 2020, the American Cancer Society’s statistics report noted a 29% decline in the cancer death rate between 1991 and 2017. Findings released in May by the Epic Health Research Network showed that preventive screenings for cervical, colon and breast cancer from a data set of 2.7 million patients declined between 86 and 94% in March 2020 compared with average volumes in the prior three years. As of summer of 2020, the National Cancer Institute predicted that declines in screenings for colon and breast cancer could result in 10,000 lives lost.

“Many people have postponed cancer screenings due to fears of contracting Coronavirus during a visit to a hospital or physician office,” says Dr. Davidson. “Certain cancers require in-person diagnostic tests, while others, such as colon cancer, may have an at home test kit option for people who are at low risk. There are now alternatives to screening that are better than not screening at all, and telehealth is an excellent option for having that discussion with your physician.

“The availability of virtual resources permits patients to talk to their physician to assess whether they need a cancer screening, or can safely postpone a screening and reassess later,” he adds, “Much of this depends on whether the screening is routine or whether there are symptoms and the nature of the symptoms. It is very important to have these discussions with your physician to assess the situation.”

Dr. Davidson advises that, “When you come to Northern Westchester Hospital for a screening, we have measures in place to assess your health before you arrive and to monitor you when you are here, as well as strict protocols that make patient visits safe.” 

NWH’s safety measures include thermal cameras for temperature checks, pre-screenings, social distancing, mask mandates, limited visitation, strict cleaning protocols, and spreading out patient appointments to limit waiting room traffic.

           For more information on the Northwell Health Cancer Institute at Northern Westchester Hospital, visit https://nwh.northwell.edu/cancer-institute

This News is Courtesy of Northern Westchester Hospital

 

Screenings Through The Decades

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Samantha Lowe, MD, Pediactrics

Drs. Samantha Lowe and Michael Zuckman of White Plains Hospital Medical & Wellness in Armonk see to the well-being of patients at all stages of life. Part of that care includes providing age-appropriate screenings to ensure optimal health and wellness. Here’s a brief but comprehensive summary of the things you should be checking for both for you and your family members through the years.

Need a physician to help you get the screenings you and your family need? Call White Plains Hospital Medical & Wellness in Armonk at (914) 849-7900.

Birth To Pre-Teens

Recommended screenings for newborns and children include testing for congenital problems, monitoring growth and development, hearing and vision screenings, and immunization updates.

Michael Zuckman, MD, Internal Medicine

Teenage Years

Start screening for mental health problems, beginning in the teen years when they commonly start presenting. Updating immunizations; educating teens about the risks of tobacco, drug, and alcohol use; and the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases are also all essential.

20s and 30s

Young adults should be monitored for hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol all through routine doctor visits. Cervical cancer screenings for women and testicular cancer screenings for men should also be included.

In The 40s

In addition to continuing screenings begun earlier in life, patients should begin screening for glaucoma. Women should begin screening for breast cancer, and both men and women at average risk should begin screening for colorectal cancer by age 45 according to new American Cancer Society guidelies.

In The 50s

All previous screenings and tests should be maintained, and men should begin screening for prostate cancer.

Ages 60 and older

Regular screenings for all previous conditions should continue and screenings for osteoporosis, depression, and memory problems should begin.

Our Doctors. Your Neighborhood.

White Plains Hospital Medical & Wellness provides comprehensive care for the entire family, conveniently located off 684/exit 3 in Armonk. Expert physicians in Primary Care, Pediatrics, OB/GYN, and multiple specialties including Allergy & Immunology, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Neurology, orthopedics and Rheumatology offer personalized service for patients and family members. Same-day appointments are often available. The facility also houses a Diagnostic Imaging Center and Urgent Care center, operated by White Plains Hospital Emergency Department physicians, with extended hours and short wait times. Call (914) 849-7900 for an appointment or (914) 849-7999 for urgent care, open seven days a week.