Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center (MECC) Finds Low-Cost Treatment to Prevent Acute Radiation Dermatitis

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Each year, according to Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center (MECC) researchers, 10 million people in the United States are treated with radiation therapy to reduce the size of their tumors. They said acute radiation dermatitis (ARD), characterized by red, sore, itchy, or peeling skin, affects up to 95 percent of people undergoing radiation treatment for cancer. The researchers said that severe cases of ARD can cause significant swelling and painful skin ulcers that can severely impair quality of life. Yet, up to recently, they said little was known about why the condition occurs, and no standardized treatments for preventing severe

By CARLOS TEJEDA

May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to share information and resources about good mental health. Mental Health America has chosen as its 2023 theme for the month “Look around, Look within.” Dr. Brenda Boatswain is the wellbeing manager at Montefiore Einstein and assistant professor in the Department of Family and Social Medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Here, she answers questions from the community about mental health. What can people do to prevent mental illness? When we talk about prevention of mental illness, we should discuss things that can be done, even before a person is

By DAVID GREENE

Hundreds of Bronxites turned out for the 6th Annual Child Safety Fair hosted by the Office of Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, held at the Baychester Community Center, located at 1220 East 229th Street in Edenwald on Saturday, April 15. Outside the community center the NYPD shutdown Schieffelin Avenue where a basketball station and a bouncy house was set up for the daylong event. Dozens of tables were set up inside and outside the center as various city agencies and local nonprofits provided information on healthcare and various programs. There were also some free giveaways. Other groups in

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Norwood and other local Bronx residents were heartbroken to learn on Sunday, April 2, of the death of beloved, active community member, Doug Condit, Jr., a Vietnam veteran who, among other roles, was one of the main drivers behind the opening, in 2018, of Norwood’s Williamsbridge Oval Skate Park. Fellow veteran and member of Friends of Mosholu Parkland (FOMP), Lorita Watson, one of many friends who had been visiting Condit in recent months as he underwent hospice care for colon cancer at his Wayne Avenue home, said, “Doug was a great guy with a lot of grit. He lived an

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx elementary students from P.S. 152 in Soundview joined District 18 City Council Member Amanda Farías and others last month for the launch of a new art exhibit featuring bold watercolor paintings of sunflowers painted by the students in honor of Ukraine. The exhibit was created in partnership with “Studio in a School NYC,” an initiative which brings visual arts education to students from 3K to 12th grade in public schools and to community based organizations across all five boroughs. It is intended to showcase local talent, while also highlighting the role art can play in stress reduction and

By LIZ SPURRELL-HUSS

In honor of the 75th anniversary of the creation of the World Health Organization (WHO), April 7 marks World Health Day! This year’s theme is “Health for All” which envisions that all people have good health for a fulfilling life in a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. The WHO is dedicated to the well-being of all people, and champions global efforts to give everyone, everywhere an equal chance to live a healthy life. Unfortunately, we are not quite there yet. Some groups have been given fewer opportunities to be healthy and therefore have poorer overall health. This includes

By MARY LOU POMPEII

National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign designed to help people make informed food choices and develop healthful eating and physical activity habits. It was created 50 years ago by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), a trusted source of food and nutrition information. This year’s theme is “Fuel for the Future,” which aims to highlight how we can eat with sustainability in mind. The topic of food waste is not commonly discussed, yet it needs our attention to help protect our oceans and landfills from unnecessary debris. According to AND, Americans throw away billions of pounds of

By NEREYDA FRANCO

February is the time of year when people across the country celebrate all matters of the heart. Many focus on the perfect gift or plan the perfect date for their sweetheart on St. Valentine’s Day. At Montefiore Einstein, we bring our attention to the physical health of our hearts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every three deaths are related to cardiovascular disease, also known as heart disease. With such alarming statistics, we must ask, “What matters when it comes to heart health?” A great place to start, is learning about your

By NAOMI PEMBERTON

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, an important time to share information about one of the leading causes of blindness. Glaucoma is part of a group of common eye diseases and disorders that effect vison. It is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, so it is essential to know the risks and how to prevent the disease. What is Glaucoma? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Glaucoma effects about 3 million Americans. Glaucoma is part of a group of diseases that damage the eye’s central nerve, also known as the optic nerve. The optic