News from NYU Langone Health
CtDNA May Help To Predict Early Recurrence In Stage III Melanoma. (鶹Ƶapp Network)
(4/22) A study published in The Lancet Oncology suggests that digital droplet PCR measurements of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) could help identify stage III melanoma patients at high risk of recurrence; David Polsky, MD, PhD, the Alfred W. Kopf, MD, Professor of Dermatologic Oncology, vice chair, research, the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, and professor, Department of Pathology, discussed the study, noting that ctDNA assays were superior in predicting recurrence compared to other experimental tests.
Microscopic Plastic Levels Far Higher In Those Who Suffer Strokes, Study Finds. (UPI)
(4/22) Gregory Katz, MD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, the Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, commented on a study presented by the American Heart Association that links high levels of nanoplastics in the neck to increased stroke risk, saying the results are concerning, while also acknowledging the difficulty in determining whether plastics directly cause negative health outcomes or if they accumulate more in sicker individuals, as well as the challenge of understanding the exact sources of plastic exposure.
‘I’m A Neurologist – Here’s Why Dementia Is Rising And How To Reduce Your Risk’. (Fox News)
(4/22) Joel Salinas, MD, MBA, clinical assistant professor, Department of Neurology, the Pearl I. Barlow Center for Memory Evaluation and Treatment, discussed the rising dementia cases in the U.S., attributing the increase largely to the aging baby boomer population and potential impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, while emphasizing the importance of lifestyle changes for risk reduction, such as proper nutrition, exercise, and addressing hearing loss and sleep disorders, and noted that early detection is crucial, as 92% of mild cognitive impairment cases go undiagnosed, recommending seeking a second opinion from a neurology specialist if symptoms are dismissed.
Can Weight-Loss Drugs Help In 鶹Ƶapp Treatment? (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
The (4/22) Jamie Mafdali, a South Florida resident, discussed her weight loss journey using GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic and Wegovy, which helped her lose over 20 pounds in preparation for DIEP flap surgery after being diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, during a recent webinar; Ruth Oratz, MD, clinical professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Perlmutter 鶹Ƶapp Center, said these drugs aid in managing weight-related complications in cancer treatment and may also benefit lymphedema.
Is The ‘Ostrich Effect’ Messing With Your Life? Here’s What To Do. (HuffPost (UK))
(4/23) Sudeepta Varma, MD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry, explained that the “ostrich effect,” a cognitive bias where individuals ignore negative information, can lead to decision paralysis and escalate problems.
Do You Need To Wear Sunscreen Inside? Experts Weigh In. (NBC News)
(4/22) Mary L. Stevenson, MD, associate professor, the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, contributed to an NBC Select article discussing the necessity of wearing sunscreen indoors, especially near windows or digital screens, due to the penetration of UVA and UVB rays through glass and the effects of blue light on skin health.
Generic Compounded Versions Of Ozempic Now Restricted By FDA. (TODAY)
(4/22) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has declared the shortage of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, over, mandating that smaller compounding pharmacies cease production by April 22 and larger ones by May 22, with Natalie E. Azar, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, saying medicines from compounding pharmacies “are generally much more accessible — you can get them through telehealth pharmacies, med spas — and they’re much cheaper than the brand version,” adding that compounding pharmacies were never meant to be a substitute or be a competition, rather “sort of like alternatives when the patient can’t take the brand name.”
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鶹Ƶapp Report Reveals Surprising New Data On Deaths, Diagnoses. (New York Post)
The (4/22) The National 鶹Ƶapp Institute’s annual report, published in 鶹Ƶapp on April 21, reveals that cancer death rates have decreased annually by 1.7% for men and 1.3% for women from 2018 to 2022, with Marc K. Siegel, MD, clinical professor, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation attributing this to improved screening, early intervention, and advanced therapies, emphasizing that “cancer death rates are falling among both men and women because of many factors.”
