Prostate Cancer Screening: What Every Man Needs to Know
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- Written by: Dr. Fara Bellows
- Category: Health
Submitted by Dr. Fara Bellows, Urology at White Plains Hospital
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, according to the American Cancer Society, which estimates that more than 300,000 men will develop the disease – and nearly 36,000 will die from it – in 2025.
Screening is of utmost importance, as most men show no symptoms before being diagnosed. The best way to check for possible prostate cancer is through a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test, which can be ordered by your primary care physician (PCP).
PSA is an enzyme that gets released from the prostate gland, with blood levels of PSA high in cases of prostate cancer; that said, the PSA test is not 100% accurate, as is explained by the National Cancer Institute here.
Your physician may also perform a digital rectal exam, where they insert a finger into your rectum to feel the prostate for tumors. Prostate cancers tend to grow in the area next to the rectum, called the peripheral zone, so this physical exam can be helpful.
When Should You Start Screening?
Although prostate cancer usually affects men in their 60s and 70s, there have been cases of men developing the disease in their 50s and even 40s.
Opinions differ on when you should begin screening. The American Cancer Society recommends that men start at age 50, while others usually say between 45 and 55 depending on the circumstance.
In addition:
• Those at high risk (including being of African descent and having a first-degree relative – father or brother – who were diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65), should begin screening at 45.
• Individuals at very high risk (having more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer before reaching 65) should start screening at 40.
• Depending on what their blood test levels look like, their PCP may want to recheck the PSA every 1-4 years.
Symptoms of prostate cancer – regardless of age – may include:
• Urinary issues, including frequent urination (especially at night); difficulty starting or stopping urination; a weak or interrupted urine flow; pain or burning during urination; blood in the urine or semen
• Pain in the lower back, hips, pelvis, or rectum
• Unexpected weight loss
No matter your age and health, if your physician finds your PSA is elevated, they may want to have it rechecked a few weeks later to confirm its level or might refer you to a urologist. The urologist may recommend additional lab tests or may recommend an MRI of the prostate.
White Plains Hospital offers a wide range of cancer treatments, including some of the most recent breakthrough technologies, including aquablation.
Be proactive about your health. If you are of the proper age – and even if you are not experiencing the above symptoms – discuss screening with your PCP or a urologist as soon as you can.
Dr. Fara Bellows is a board-certified urologist and urologic surgeon at the WPHPA center in Scarsdale/Eastchester. To make an appointment, call 914-949-7556.
Health Matters
The original version of this article was published in Health Matters, a White Plains Hospital publication.
Mold Matters: Protecting Your Health Indoors
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Category: Health
Submitted by Dr. Claire Smigiel, Allergy & Immunology at White Plains Hospital
While autumn’s many natural wonders can fill us with a sense of awe and beauty, it can also fill allergy sufferers with a sense of dread. Fortunately, there is help available for even the most violent sneezer.
What to Watch For
Besides various pollens, which have pretty much run their course by this point in the fall, there is the year-round issue of mold. Mold spores can be nearly everywhere, and mold allergy sufferers can experience everything from sneezing and itchy, watery eyes to more serious complications if they have other respiratory conditions. Keep in mind that while some molds grow and thrive in wet and rainy conditions, others tend to be more prevalent on dry, windy days.
Most sources estimate that there are more than 100,000 different types of molds – not all of which cause allergy symptoms, thankfully – with a variety of fungi called aspergillus being particularly noteworthy. The resulting condition, aspergillosis, is usually found in people with weakened immune systems due to anything from chemotherapy and AIDS to respiratory diseases like asthma, chronic lung disease and cystic fibrosis.
Although aspergillosis is not an officially reported disease, the CDC estimates that aspergillosis diagnoses in the U.S. increased annually by 5% between 2013 and 2023.
What You Can Do
As mold spores are so widespread, you can never be completely safe from mold spores. However, there are some steps you can take to minimize their presence in your home:|
• Control moisture by fixing leaks and otherwise eliminating dampness – ideal mold-growing habitats.
• Increase ventilation, which will help dry out those damp areas.
• Clean regularly to prevent mold spores from settling and growing on surfaces.
• Get rid of it! If you find mold growing, clean it up quickly. If you have particularly large areas of mold (think basements and even damp, poorly ventilated attics), you may want to contact a professional.
Allergy sufferers will be familiar with common, over-the-counter oral antihistamines like Zyrtec, Claritin, and Allegra. In my experience, those self-treating may often still experience some symptoms.
Regardless of the source or your allergy and your anti-mold activities, you may still feel the effects of “brain fog” – sluggishness, difficulty concentrating, and general malaise. (And you may still be sneezing!) That’s where an allergist comes in.
Visiting an allergy doctor can have many benefits. We can test for specific allergic sensitivity, either via blood tests or skin prick testing. Once culprit allergens are identified, patients are given an individualized treatment plan and booked for a follow-up visit to ensure relief or to change course if symptoms persist.
Allergy doctors focus on lifestyle and allergen avoidance as well as medications. When over-the-counter or prescription medications are not working, allergy shots may be an option. Allergies can have a major negative impact on your quality of life, so if you are suffering, do not hesitate to reach out and make an appointment with a specialist as soon as possible.
Dr. Claire Smigiel is a board-certified allergy and immunology physician with WPHPA of Scarsdale. To make an appointment, call 914-974-2574.
Health Matters
The original version of this article was published in Health Matters, a White Plains Hospital publication.
The Hidden Predictors of Longevity: 3 Critical Metrics Your Annual Physical Is Missing
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- Written by: Tony Mathews
- Category: Health
(Submitted by By Tony Mathews, MD, MPH)
In Scarsdale, we plan meticulously for the future. We manage our portfolios, our estates, and our children’s education with a long-term strategy. Yet, when it comes to the asset that underpins everything else—our physiology—many of us are flying blind.
Most high-performing individuals rely on an annual physical to gauge their health. If the standard labs come back “normal,” we assume we are safe.
However, as a physician practicing at the intersection of Endocrinology and Preventive Cardiology, I often see a disconnect between “normal” blood work and true longevity. Standard physicals are designed to detect active disease, not to map the silent trajectory of risk.
To manage your health more like an asset, you often need to look beyond the basic panel. Here are three silent metrics that rarely appear on a standard report but are critical for predicting your future health span.
1. Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT)
We are conditioned to focus on weight or BMI, but these are blunt instruments. Two people can weigh exactly the same yet have vastly different risk profiles based on where that mass is stored.
Visceral fat is the hidden fat stored deep inside the abdomen, wrapping around the liver and pancreas. Unlike subcutaneous fat (the kind you can pinch), visceral fat is metabolically active. It acts like a toxic organ, releasing inflammatory cytokines that drive insulin resistance and vascular damage.
You can have a “normal” BMI and still have dangerous levels of visceral fat—a pattern sometimes called “skinny fat” or metabolically obese normal weight. Advanced body composition analysis is the only way to track this metric accurately.
2. VO₂ Max: The Engine of Longevity
Often viewed as a metric for elite athletes, VO₂ max is actually one of the strongest predictors of all-cause mortality. It measures the maximum amount of oxygen your body can utilize during intense exercise.
Think of it as the horsepower of your cardiovascular system. A higher VO₂ max is associated with a significantly lower risk of heart disease, dementia, and certain cancers.
If you don’t know your number, you can’t manage it. Integrating clinical fitness testing into your medical plan moves exercise from a generic suggestion (“go to the gym”) to a precise prescription based on your current capacity.
3. Insulin Sensitivity, ApoB, and Lp(a)
A standard lipid panel gives you LDL, but often misses the nuance of particle number. Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) provides a more accurate count of the atherogenic particles driving plaque formation.
Similarly, a fasting glucose test only reveals your blood sugar at that moment, not how hard your pancreas worked to keep it there. Measuring fasting insulin and estimating insulin resistance (for example, with HOMA-IR) can uncover metabolic dysfunction years before prediabetes appears.
Finally, lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), can reveal inherited cardiovascular risk that does not show up on a standard panel. Lp(a) is largely genetically determined and, when elevated, is associated with a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Knowing your level helps your physician tailor the intensity of your risk-reducing strategies.
From Annual Checkups to a “Family Health Office” Mindset
The human body is an interconnected system. Hormones affect lipids; muscle mass affects insulin; inflammation affects the heart. Treating these in silos—or checking them only once a year—is a reactive strategy.
Some physicians use the term “Family Health Office” to describe a more integrated approach, where a medical team looks at cardiovascular, metabolic, and endocrine risks together over time. In this mindset, metrics like visceral fat, VO₂ max, insulin sensitivity, ApoB, and Lp(a) are not “extra tests,” but tools for understanding long-term risk.
You don’t need a new label to benefit from this approach. If you’ve never measured these metrics, ask your physician if these evaluations are appropriate for you. The goal is to catch subtle patterns early, when targeted treatment and lifestyle changes can still meaningfully shape your future health span.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. Always discuss specific testing or treatment decisions with your own physician.
Dr. Tony Mathews, MD, MPH, is dual fellowship–trained and quadruple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Obesity Medicine, and Clinical Lipidology, with over 12 years of clinical experience. He has spent the past three years caring for patients in Bronxville, Scarsdale, and the surrounding Westchester communities.
He practices at Sequoia Medical 360 (116 Kraft Ave, Suite 4, Bronxville, NY, 914-292-0300), a physician-led practice that uses a “Family Health Office” model to organize long-term cardiovascular, metabolic, and endocrine care. Sequoia Medical 360 participates with Medicare and most private insurance plans.
Pregnancy & Diabetes: Know the Risk
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Category: Health
Submitted by Gayotri Goswami, MD, FACE, Endocrinology at White Plains Hospital
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) can be an unexpected development during pregnancy — but with awareness, timely testing, and a healthy lifestyle, you can help prevent it or at least manage it effectively.
Similar to type 2 diabetes, GDM can in many instances go away once the baby is delivered. Nevertheless, The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention estimates that every year, 5% to 9% of pregnancies in the U.S. are affected by GDM.
Although researchers have yet to pinpoint why some women develop gestational diabetes and others do not, they have identified some risk factors for developing the disease, which include:
• Having had GDM during a previous pregnancy
• Having birthed a baby weighing over 9 pounds
• Being overweight
• Being over 25 years old
• Having a family history of type 2 diabetes
• Being a person of color
During pregnancy, hormone levels shift, and while they usually help keep blood sugar stable, sometimes they don’t—making it harder for your body to process sugar efficiently. Gestational diabetes can also raise your risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy.
GDM can also lead to a bigger baby, early delivery with breathing issues, low blood sugar at birth, or a higher risk of type 2 diabetes later on.
Overcoming GDM
GDM rarely comes without warning. Most pregnant women are screened for high glucose levels between 24 and 28 weeks—or sooner if earlier tests or risk factors suggest the need.
Once your baby’s here, your blood sugar should bounce back. Follow up with your doctor 6 to 12 weeks later—and every few years—to keep it that way. A Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) can help tailor a plan that works for you.
Eating healthier is a smart move for everyone, no matter where you are on your journey. Try following the MyPlate model (myplate.gov), filling half your plate with fruits and veggies. And aim for about 30 minutes of activity a day—even a brisk walk counts.
With proper precautions and education, GDM does not have to be a frightening prospect. Discuss your background and risk factors with your provider during one of your regular prenatal visits; they will refer you to an endocrinologist if necessary.
Dr. Gayotri Goswami is an endocrinologist with White Plains Hospital Physician Associates. To make an appointment, call 914-849-7400.
Health Matters
The original version of this article was published in Health Matters, a White Plains Hospital publication.
Letter to the Editor: Missed Water Bill and Late Charges
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Category: Health
Here is a letter from a Scarsdale resident concerning their water bill. He reports that he did not receive his bill in August and was assessed late fees and a penalty on the November bill. Did you have a similar experience? Please comment below:
(From Mr. Ruder)
We just received our 11/1/25 water bill from Scarsdale. It included the fees for May-July and August-October as well as a penalty for non-payment of the first piece. I called the water department and told them that in 28 years here in Scarsdale, we had never missed a payment deadline and that I did not receive the May-July invoice....so I did not pay it.
They said that they were aware of a number of residents who did not receive their May-July bill. They will let me know if they will waive the penalty as they consider their response to this situation. I can only hope that they are reasonable and fair in their decision-making here.
This is so similar to the "lost" school tax bills from a couple of years ago. It seems that something remains broken in the Scarsdale system for getting these important documents out to residents.
Brian Ruder
We asked Scarsdale Village Manager Alexandra Marshall for a comment and here is what she shared: "The Water Department staff forwarded me your question. At this time, we have been contacted by 76 water account customers who have indicated they did not receive their August water bill. As calls come in, water department staff continue to work with costumers to resolve their billing concerns. Recognizing concerns from the public about reliability of postal service, the Village continues to put out additional electronic reminders about important upcoming bill/collection deadlines. Staff have also been exploring tools to make payment of bills easier for our residents."
