News from NYU Langone Health
Ananda Lewis Chose ‘Natural’ Cancer Care Over Conventional Treatment. Many Others Do Too – And It’s Risky. (ABC News)
ABC News (6/15) Ananda Lewis, a former MTV VJ, died from breast cancer at 52 after opting for holistic treatments over conventional care due to her fear of mammograms and radiation exposure, a choice reflecting a broader trend; however, Elizabeth Comen, MD, associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Perlmutter Cancer Center, warned that foregoing traditional treatments can result in dire consequences, emphasizing that early, evidence-based treatment is crucial for survival, as complementary care, such as acupuncture and yoga, should only support standard treatments to improve outcomes and quality of life.
19 Healthy Airport Food Options, According To A Dietitian. (TODAY)
TODAY (6/13) Collin J. Popp, PhD, MS, RD, assistant professor, Department of Population Heath, discussed strategies for maintaining healthy eating habits at airports, suggesting that travelers choose snacks and meals rich in protein, fiber, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates while avoiding excess sugar, sodium, and saturated fats; he recommended packing your own nutritious snacks like protein bars, nuts, and fresh fruit to avoid limited terminal options and save money.
How Kodai Senga Likely Strained His Hamstring. (New York Post)
The New York Post (6/13) Joseph Bosco III, MD, professor, vice chair, clinical affairs, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, and chief, musculoskeletal strategic areas, joins Brandon London for the weekly ‘Injury Report’ segment to discuss Kodai Senga landing on the Injured List with a right hamstring strain and whether any particular movements could have caused the Mets’ top pitcher to suffer the injury.
Updates In Shared Decision-Making In Lung Cancer Following ASCO 2025. (Cure Today)
Cure Today (6/13) Joshua K. Sabari, MD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Perlmutter Cancer Center, discussed recent advancements in lung cancer treatment with Dr. Eric K. Singhi from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, focusing on the CheckMate 816 study’s findings on neoadjuvant therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the potential of KRAS G12C targeted therapies, emphasizing the importance of informed and shared decision-making in clinical settings and the promising results of clinical trials in advancing treatment options and overall survival rates for patients.
In a separate article, Cure Today (6/13) Joshua K. Sabari, MD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Perlmutter Cancer Center, discussed with Dr. Prantesh Jain updates in lung cancer care, at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting, including the phase 3 IMforte trial showing improved survival with Zepzelca plus Tecentriq for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, the DeLLphi-304 trial demonstrating significant survival benefits with Imdelltra compared to chemotherapy, and the CheckMate 816 trial indicating enhanced outcomes with chemotherapy plus immunotherapy before surgery.
From Prep To Follow-Up: Key Considerations For Administering OnabotulinumtoxinA. (Urology Times)
Urology Times (6/13) Benjamin M. Brucker, MD, associate professor, Departments of Urology, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, co-authored guidelines for the use of onabotulinumtoxinA in treating overactive bladder (OAB), focusing on patient experience and compliance, including counseling, urinalysis, antibiotic use, dosing, and follow-up protocols; Brucker said, “The hope of the paper was to update and give clinicians some guidance on how many of us are thinking about onabotulinumtoxinA,” and emphasized the importance of introducing this therapy early and ensuring patient comfort throughout the treatment process.
Complex TKA For Chronic Tibial Plateau Fracture Nonunion. (Healio)
Healio (6/13) Benjamin C. Schaffler, MD, resident, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Jack R. Zhong, MD, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nicole D. Rynecki, MD, resident, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, and Vinay K. Aggarwal, MD, associate professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, and chief, adult reconstructive surgery service, present a case study where a 52-year-old man with chronic right knee pain and difficulty walking, stemming from a motorcycle accident three years ago, underwent a complex total knee arthroplasty at NYU Langone Health after immigrating to the United States and experiencing significant functional limitations; the surgery addressed a nonunion Schatzker VI tibial plateau fracture with extensive bone resorption, and the patient’s postoperative recovery included a gradual progression to full weight-bearing without assistive devices, resulting in restored mobility and alleviated pain.
Expanded Approaches Focus On Balancing Efficacy And Toxicity In NSCLC. (Targeted Oncology)
Targeted Oncology (6/13) The European Lung Cancer Congress (ELCC 2025) in Paris showcased pivotal studies on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including that Salman R. Punekar, MD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Perlmutter Cancer Center, presented the RMC-6236-001 trial findings on daraxonrasib, a RAS(ON) inhibitor, indicating a 38% objective response rate in patients with RAS G12X mutations.
Youth Deaths Attributable To Synthetic Opioids Alone Increasingly Predominant. (Psychiatry Advisor)
Psychiatry Advisor (6/13) A study led by Megan Miller, MPH, research coordinator, Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy, published in Pediatrics, reveals that overdose deaths among U.S. youth aged 15 to 24 due to synthetic opioids alone increased significantly from 2018 to 2022, with a notable rise in deaths involving only synthetic opioids, which surpassed polydrug overdose rates since 2020; the research underscores the urgent need for youth-targeted education and harm-reduction initiatives to address these trends, as the rate of synthetic-only overdose deaths in 2022 was significantly higher among males and those aged 20 to 24.
Top Care Tips That Hepatitis C Experts Want You to Know. (Health Central)
Health Central (6/13) David E. Bernstein, MD, professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, advises hepatitis C patients to avoid sharing personal items like razors and toothbrushes to prevent reinfection or acquiring a different strain during therapy, and he emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and B to protect liver health further; he also explains that diagnosing hepatitis C involves a blood test for the hepatitis C antibody, followed by an HCV-RNA by PCR test if the first is positive, to confirm the presence of the virus in the blood.
Doctors Stunned To See Strict Exercise Regimen Is As Good As Medicine For Colon Cancer. (Insider)
Insider (6/14) Results from a 17-year randomized controlled trial presented at the ASCO annual meeting revealed that a structured exercise regimen can outperform adjuvant chemotherapy in preventing recurrence of high-risk colon cancer, with patients reducing their risk of death by 37% and cancer recurrence by 28%; Paul E. Oberstein, MD, associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Perlmutter Cancer Center, who was not involved in the study, said he would like to implement this treatment for his patients, “If you could somehow package this and bill it as a drug, it would be very valuable because the benefit was really remarkable.”
Most Women Ignore This Symptom As A Subtle Sign Of A Heart Attack, But It Could Be A Matter Of Life And Death. (BuzzFeed)
BuzzFeed (6/13) Sean P. Heffron, MD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, the Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, discussed how symptoms like nausea and vomiting, often overlooked as signs of a heart attack, can be more common in women, especially when specific heart vessels are affected, alongside other symptoms such as chest pressure, jaw pain, or excessive tiredness; he emphasized the importance of recognizing these signs, particularly for those with cardiovascular risk factors, and advised using resources like the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 to maintain heart health, while cautioning against ignoring symptoms even if they seem minor.
Doctors Say You Might Be Eating Way Too Much Salt – Here’s How To Tell. (BuzzFeed)
BuzzFeed (6/15) Nieca Goldberg, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine, the Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, said healthy adults need only 500 milligrams of salt daily for bodily functions, but the average American consumes about 3,500 milligrams, primarily from processed foods; she advised that individuals with conditions like high blood pressure or heart failure should limit salt intake, and those unsure about their needs should consult their physician.
More Fears Of Fertility Crisis As Women Make Major Life Change. (Daily Mail (UK))
The Daily Mail (UK) (6/15) A CDC report indicates that the average age of first-time mothers in the U.S. rose from 26.6 in 2016 to 27.5 in 2023, contributing to a declining fertility rate, which fell to 54.5 births per 1,000 women of childbearing age, marking a three percent drop from 2022; James A. Grifo, MD, PhD, professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, expressed concerns about these trends, highlighting potential social issues stemming from reduced reproduction rates, as the total fertility rate hit 1.62 births per woman, the lowest since the 1930s.
News from NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island
Long Island Parents Push Back Against Vaccinations, Pediatricians Say. (Newsday (NY))
Newsday (NY) (6/16) An increasing number of Long Island parents are questioning or refusing vaccinations for their children; Sara Siddiqui, MD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Pediatrics, said, “Most parents understand that the vaccination process is important, however they may choose to delay or defer vaccinations at certain times,” highlighting a trend that could lead to disease outbreaks as vaccination rates decline.
