Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States, yet there are many misconceptions about the disease. Improving your knowledge is one way you can fight it.
Can you separate myth from fact? Take the quiz below, then click “Done” to see your score and correct answers. The quiz is based on Three Things You Need to Know About Lung Cancer published in Mount Sinai Today.
Pickleball is exploding in popularity—so much that it’s now the fastest growing sport in America. But with more paddles on the court comes more injuries, especially for those just starting out or returning to the sport after a long break.
Here are some tips to help players stay safe and strong, while enjoying the competition, from
James N. Gladstone, MD, Chief of Sports Medicine, and Shawn G. Anthony, MD, MBA, Associate Chief of Sports Medicine. One key takeaway: Even small changes in your routines can make a big difference.
The Mount Sinai Sports Medicine team provides expert care for players of all levels, from advanced treatments and surgeries to proven rehabilitation techniques. Whether you’re looking to prevent injuries, recover quickly, or get back to the activities you love, Mount Sinai specialists can help you stay active and enjoy your time on the court.
Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent cancers among women, with 13 percent of women—approximately one in eight—receiving a diagnosis in their lifetime. Early detection and advanced technology are vital to improving survival rates and treatment success.
Here are three important ways that updates in breast cancer screening and technology have the potential to significantly improve early detection, according to the experts at the Center of Excellence for Breast Cancer at The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai.
Elisa Port, MD, FACS
New Mammogram Guidelines
In 2024, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended that women begin regular mammograms at age 40, shifting from the previous guideline of age 50. Mount Sinai strongly supports this important change, as it can lead to earlier detection and a reduction in late-stage breast cancer cases.
“Starting mammograms at age 40 can facilitate earlier diagnoses, which are crucial for effective treatment,” says Elisa Port, MD, FACS, Chief of Breast Surgery for the Mount Sinai Health System and Director of the Dubin Breast Center. “An annual mammogram can mean the difference between catching a cancer early when it’s most treatable or missing it entirely. Mount Sinai Mammogram May® is about reminding women that they have the power to take control of their health. We urge women to schedule their screenings.”
Advances in AI for Mammography and Breast Ultrasound
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming mammography and breast ultrasound, significantly improving diagnostic capabilities. AI algorithms can analyze mammogram and breast ultrasound images with advanced precision, and have become a powerful tool in identifying potential abnormalities that traditional methods might overlook.
Laurie Margolies, MD, FACR FSBI
“Artificial intelligence is a phenomenal tool. It does not replace the expertise of our radiologists—it enhances it,” said Laurie Margolies, MD, FACR, FSBI, Vice Chair Breast Imaging, Mount Sinai Health System, and Chief of Breast Imaging at the Dubin Breast Center. “It gives us an added set of eyes, highlighting areas that deserve closer scrutiny. That means more accurate results and, ultimately, better outcomes for our patients.” Mount Sinai has performed more than 100,000 AI-assisted mammograms as of March 2025.
FDA Ruling on Breast Density
The FDA recently mandated that mammogram reports include uniform information about breast density. Dense breast tissue can obscure tumors on mammograms and is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
“This new requirement will provide women with essential information about their breast density, helping them make informed decisions about additional imaging if needed,” says Dr. Margolies. “We are committed to offering comprehensive care and using all available information to enhance screening accuracy at all of Mount Sinai’s breast health locations.”
Three Things Women Should Do
Improving your chances of survival often begins with early detection. Mount Sinai encourages women to stay informed, be empowered, speak with their health care professional, and access the latest technologies and interventions as needed.
Prescription weight loss drugs have grown in popularity since receiving approval from the Food and Drug Administration to help manage blood sugars and weight loss. However, like many drugs, these GLP-1 medications can come with potential side effects, and recent studies show they may cause vision changes.
While using these drugs can speed weight loss, patients should be aware of the potential risks and the health benefits associated with these drugs. When it comes to eye health, preliminary research indicates some concerning side effects such as blurred vision and a condition called anterior ischemic optic neuropathy,where blow flow to the eye is blocked. This class of medications has also been linked to worsening the risk of developing wet macular degeneration.
“While more studies are needed to fully understand the long-term benefits and risks of GLP-1 medications and eye health, current consensus is the overall health benefits for patients using this medication outweighs the risk of potential ocular complications,” says Nazanin Barzideh, MD, Retina Specialist at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai. People who use GLP-1 medications to control their diabetes should see their ophthalmologist to monitor their eye health, she says.
Nazanin Barzideh, MD
In this Q&A, Dr. Barzideh, MD, addresses some key questions about GLP-1 medications (which includes drugs such as Ozempic® and Wegovy®) and their potential effects on vision and eye health.
How do these medications work?
These medications promote insulin production and decreases blood sugar levels, which can lead to better diabetes control and decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease while promoting weight loss. They are called GLP-1 medications because they mimic the action of a hormone called GLP-1. They contain the active pharmaceutical ingredient known by its chemical name, semaglutide.
Can GLP-1 weight loss drugs cause vision issues?
One of the side effects that some patients may experience is blurred vision. Changes to blood glucose levels can affect the shape of the eye’s lens that may cause blurred vision. Often older adults are more likely to experience blurred vision when they start taking the medication because the eye’s lens is less flexible as we get older, and it takes the body longer to adjust to changes in blood sugar levels. Therefore, it takes longer to stabilize vision. This is side effect is temporary and usually resolves in three to four months.
Can these drugs cause blindness?
There’s no direct evidence that these medications cause blindness. But some studies suggest a potential link to a condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which can lead to vision loss. NAION is a type of “eye stroke” where blood flow to the optic nerve is reduced or blocked, causing sudden, painless vision loss, often in one eye. The risk of occurrence of NAION is low with this class of medication. Patients with smaller optic discs, part of the optic nerve, are at higher risk of developing NAION. The risk for NAION is also higher the first year of use of this class of medication. Regular eye exams are suggested while patients are on this class of medication.
More research is being done to investigate whether GLP-1 medications affect blood flow or oxygen levels in the eye, which could increase a patients’ risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and/or have a negative implication for patients who already have nAMD. Researchers also want to learn more about the long-term ocular effects of prolonged exposure. Whether you take GLP-1 drugs for weight loss or to treat diabetes, it is important to control your blood sugar at a steady pace and consult an ophthalmologist if you experience any changes in your vision.
What are the ocular risks of taking GLP-1 over the long term?
The long-term ocular safety of GLP-1 medications requires further investigation to determine whether prolonged exposure could play a part in increasing risk.
Does prolonged use of GLP-1 medications affect patients who have diabetic retinopathy?
The implications of long-term use of GLP-1 medication and diabetic retinopathy progression requires further study. Diabetic retinopathy involves damage to small blood vessels in the retina. For most patients, the cardiovascular and blood sugar control benefit of these drugs outweigh the small risk of retinopathy progression. In the long term, the diabetic retinopathy will be better controlled with improved diabetic control. This is consistent with current American Academy of Ophthalmology guidelines. Patients should discuss their concerns with their health care providers, who can assess the potential risks and benefits in the context of their individual overall health needs.
If you are headed outdoors to play sports or just to relax in the park or go for a walk, it’s important to take precautions. Ultraviolet (UV) exposure during outdoor play can contribute to premature aging and increase your risk of skin cancer, even among when you may feel protected by short outings or staying mostly in shaded areas.
Banu Farabi, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, offers five tips for staying safe in the sun.
“Combining prevention with early detection offers the best protection. Protecting your skin during outdoor activities helps minimize UV damage. Be sure and get regular skin screenings too. As with all cancers, early detection of skin cancer is key to effective treatment,” she says. “Sunscreen, regular self-monitoring and dermatologist visits are habits that lay the groundwork for long-term skin health.
Sunscreen is always your first line of defense. It’s important to choose a broad-spectrum formula with SPF 30 or higher to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Reapply every two hours, and more frequently if you’re sweating. Apply sunscreen generously to all exposed skin—don’t forget often-missed areas like the ears, neck, and the backs of your hands. UVA rays can prematurely age your skin, causing wrinkles and age spots, while UVB rays are the primary cause of sunburn, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association.
If you prefer not to reapply sunscreen throughout the day, wearing Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) clothing is one option. A shirt with UPF 50 blocks about 98 percent of UV rays. Athletic wear made from tightly woven fabrics like polyester or nylon offers great natural protection. Darker colors tend to block more UV light than lighter ones.
Your lips are just as vulnerable to sun damage as the rest of your skin. “I often see patients who are surprised to learn skin cancer can develop on the lips,” says Dr. Farabi. “Using an SPF 30 or higher lip balm is a small step that makes a big difference.” Reapply during the day, especially after eating or drinking.
A hat shields your face, scalp, and neck—areas that can be difficult to protect yourself with sunscreen alone. Bucket hats or wide-brim styles provide the most coverage. If you prefer a cap, it will help to have UPF-rated fabric. Avoid loosely woven straw hats, which let UV light through.
Sunglasses are a necessity. UV rays can damage your eyes and contribute to cataracts and eyelid skin cancer. Choose lenses labeled for 100 percent UVA/UVB protection to keep your vision safe while reducing glare.
For those living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), can a special diet potentially help slow the progression of the disease?
This a question that researchers at the Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for Multiple Sclerosis at Mount Sinai are studying, and whether a specific diet could reduce substances in the blood linked to inflammation.
“Ultimately, we want to know if we can offer MS patients a program that will empower them to live healthier by permanently changing their eating habits,” says Ilana Katz Sand, MD, a clinician and researcher who is the Center’s associate director and lead study investigator.
The new study is a randomized controlled trial of a special dietary pattern for MS, and is funded by a National MS Society grant.
The Mediterranean-Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) dietary pattern has components “that are of potential benefit in terms of limiting neuroinflammation and promoting neuroprotection,” says Dr. Katz Sand.
Since joining the Center staff in 2013, she has been studying how dietary choices affect MS evolution while seeing patients. She and her research team conducted a pilot study of a modified Mediterranean dietary program a few years ago.
“Preliminary data showed this type of diet is helpful” for MS, says Dr. Katz Sand, who serves as co-director of the Center’s Wellness Program. She is also a Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
The MIND pattern emphasizes eating fish, green leafy vegetables, lentils, nuts, olive oil, berries, and seeds. Processed foods, particularly red meat, and consuming butter, pastries, and baked goods should be limited.
Neurologists depend on individuals volunteering to participate in research projects that potentially may help advance understanding and treating MS. Dr. Katz Sand’s team is seeking 100 Center patients for the new study. Prospective study participants will first complete a questionnaire about their current eating habits. The study database contains a module that will randomly assign people to either the MIND pattern or to maintaining their current diet for one year.
“Participants hoping to be assigned to one group or the other don’t get to choose. The computer will make the group assignment for us,” she says. This enrollment process reduces potential bias and helps ensure proper distribution by age, gender, and ethnicity between the groups. “It’s really important to us that the study population looks like the population of people who are living with MS,” she says.
Dr. Katz Sand recognizes that asking people to commit to their randomization assignment “for a year is a long time,” but that duration is crucial for evaluating the MIND pattern’s impact on individuals through bloodwork and other assessments. The team is also interested in how difficult participants find it to follow this pattern.
“Ultimately, we want to know we have a nutrition program that people can stick with permanently. It’s really more of a lifestyle than a ‘diet’,” she says.
Participants randomly selected to follow the MIND diet will receive a welcome kit that includes a variety of spices, a large bottle of high-quality olive oil, walnuts, and other helpful food items, a MIND cookbook developed by Center dietitian Jessica Gelman, RD, and a one-year Fresh Direct delivery pass.
“We hope those items will make incorporating changes into their diet a little easier,” says Dr. Katz Sand. In addition, the MIND pattern group will come together for monthly educational sessions and online discussions with her and Ms. Gelman about aspects of the diet and sharing with one another what is going well and what is challenging with the program.
For patients randomly assigned to maintain their current eating habits, online educational seminars will cover a number of topics, including emerging disease modifying therapies.
At the end of the year, those who were assigned to maintain their regular eating habits will also receive the MIND welcome kit and grocery membership so they can adapt to following the MIND pattern.
Several Mount Sinai labs will be involved due to the size and scope of this study. The primary endpoint of the study is a blood biomarker called neurofilament light chain (NfL) that is a measure of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration important to assessing MS worsening.
“Everyone has NfL in their blood, with a set of reference values by age. This marker grows with increasing age. The value tends to be higher in people who have MS, and greater in times of more active inflammation,” says Dr. Katz Sand. “We are hoping the dietary intervention will help decrease the NfL levels.”
To more fully understand what happens to the body when making a big dietary change, other labs specializing in metabolomics, gut microbiota, immune phenotyping, and telomeres will examine the MIND dietary pattern’s impact. The team also will assess the diet’s effect on fatigue, mobility, mood, quality of life, and preventing disease progression in MS.
Dr. Katz Sand anticipates the study “will show the MIND dietary pattern makes a positive difference in the lives of people living with MS.” Information garnered will enable MS providers “to advocate for our patients, to get people the support they need to improve their diet and thereby their health.”
Enrollment will continue through October 2026. The deadline for collecting and processing all lab work is October 2027. The final report with analyses of the study’s findings will be delivered by spring 2028.
To apply to participate, contact Claire Wigley, the lead clinical research coordinator, at claire.wigley@mssm.edu.
By Kenneth Bandler, a multiple sclerosis patient, advocate, and member of the Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for Multiple Sclerosis Advisory Board