Take Charge of Your Health in 2021- Courtesy of MSK Direct in Collaboration with the NYCDCC Welfare Fund

January 13, 2021

Ariel was a healthy mother of two when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. “We were all so surprised because I have no family history of cancer. It really rocked our world,” she says. After feeling a lump, her doctor encouraged her to get a mammogram. “I went for my screening, and thank goodness I did, because they found early signs of breast cancer. I jumped into treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) fairly quickly.”

Taking active care of your physical health is one of the most important steps toward a healthier life. The upcoming month of February is National Cancer Prevention Month and the NYCDCC Welfare Fund has partnered with MSK to help raise awareness about the importance of screening and prevention. Screenings can lower your risk of cancer because they can help detect cancer early when it’s easier to treat.

“It is crucial for people to keep up with their routine screenings and not put off their care,” says MSK’s Physician-in-Chief and Chief Medical Officer Lisa DeAngelis. “Cancer is not going away.”

The number of preventive cancer screenings in the United States has fallen during the COVID-19 pandemic, but medical experts say it’s now safe to get screened because of the many safety precautions healthcare providers have put in place.

“We would rather help people prevent cancer than treat them for it,” says Luis Diaz, Head of the Division of Solid Tumor Oncology. “That’s why MSK has created smart, simple resources to help you in your journey to better health and cancer prevention and continue to provide essential screenings in a safe and healthy environment.” 

Ariel believes early detection saved her life. “Even if there is a pandemic, it is still important to prioritize your health and well-being. Be proactive. A lot of things can be caught early.”

Cancer screening is important, so don’t wait. Please take MSK’s short assessment to get personalized screening recommendations and tips on how to lower your risk for cancer. In less than five minutes, you can take the first step toward taking charge of your health. Visit www.mskcc.org/direct/nycdcc/screening. 

MSK follows strict safety measures to make sure patients continue to receive world-class cancer care in the safest environment possible.

If you or a loved one are interested in seeking cancer care or guidance from MSK, please reach out to the experts on your MSK Direct team. Appointments are available at all MSK locations in New York and New Jersey. MSK also offers remote services. Call MSK Direct on the NYCDCC Welfare Fund’s dedicated phone line at: (833) 786-3368 or visit www.mskcc.org/nycdcc.