Latest news with #MemorialSloanKettering
CBS News
13 hours ago
- Health
- CBS News
United Healthcare, Memorial Sloan Kettering set to take contract squabbles to mediation
The clock is ticking on United Healthcare and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to reach a contract agreement or thousands of patients could lose coverage for much-needed care. CBS News New York spoke with one impacted woman who said it's a matter of life and death for many. Deadlines to be aware of going forward The current contract is in effect through June 30. If no deal is reached, Memorial Sloan Kettering says it will become out of network for most patients with United Healthcare or Oxford plans. However, New York has a 60-day "cooling off" rule, meaning those with fully insured plans would still have in-network access to MSK hospitals through Aug. 30. That, however, does not apply to physician services and ASO plans, also known as self-funded. As for patients in the middle of treatment, a United Healthcare spokesperson said they may qualify for "continuity of care," which provides continued in-network benefits for a specified period of time. When asked how many patients stand to be impacted if a contract agreement isn't reached, Tracy Gosselin, a senior vice president and chief nurse executive at Memorial Sloan Kettering, said, "We have a little over 19,000 patients currently covered under the contract." Gosselin went on to say, "Cancer is a very expensive disease to battle. You can still be fully covered, but out of pocket expenses could be travel to and from sites, could be different things related to care for your children, and they do add up." "We will remain at the negotiating table as long as it takes" United Healthcare released the following statement on the contract talks with Memorial Sloan Kettering. "Our top priority is to reach an agreement with MSK that is affordable for consumers and employers. We have proposed meaningful rate increases that would continue to reimburse MSK at levels significantly higher than other National Cancer Institute-designated health systems in the New York City metro area," a spokesperson said, adding, "Unfortunately, MSK has refused to move off its demands for a 35% price hike that would increase health care costs by $469 million and directly impact self-insured employers. We will remain at the negotiating table as long as it takes to renew our relationship with MSK. We hope they join us there and provide a proposal people and employers can afford." Memorial Sloan Kettering told CBS News New York that United Healthcare has kept rate increases for hospital services at just 1.6% per year over the past five years, far below inflation and rising costs of care. Memorial Sloan Kettering also said it has taken extensive measures to reduce costs in recent years, including reducing staff. However, it says rising costs continue to outpace United Healthcare's reimbursements and MSK cannot continue to absorb the increases without a sustainable contract. United Healthcare and Memorial Sloan Kettering provided updates on their websites. Please click here and here. Both are encouraging patients to use their services to help navigate the situation. CBS News New York was told mediation is happening on Friday. Both parties have expressed the priority is to reach an agreement. United Healthcare says people enrolled in the Empire Plan are not impacted. "Not having that access to MSK is very scary" As a mother, Sheila Kolt's dream is to watch her children grow up. "Sadly, I do have the BRCA gene. My whole family has had different types of cancer and passed away from cancer," Kolt said. Those risk factors led the 45-year-old to make the difficult decision to have preventative surgeries, including a bilateral mastectomy at Memorial Sloan Kettering, last year. "Thank goodness I did that because when they biopsied the breast tissue after the fact, they found precancerous cells," said Kolt, who now requires monitoring. She recently received a letter from United Healthcare regarding ongoing contract negotiations with Memorial Sloan Kettering, which reads, in part, "If we're unable to reach an agreement, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center may no longer be part of your health insurance's network beginning July 1, 2025." "It made me feel incredibly sad because MSK saved my life," Kolt said. "That means no coverage at all. I have to find new doctors. I see those bills and I say oh my God, thank God I have health insurance. It's tens of thousands of dollars." Kolt said she just hopes her journey remains at Memorial Sloan Kettering and cancer free. "Not having that access to MSK is very scary. It's very scary," she said. Kolt has also been working on a documentary to share her story and encourage other women to get genetic testing.
Medscape
a day ago
- Health
- Medscape
Shaping the Microbiome to Improve Cancer Immunotherapy
WASHINGTON — For years, oncologist Jonathan Peled, MD, PhD, and his colleagues at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York City have been documenting gut microbiota disruption during allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and its role in frequent and potentially fatal bloodstream infections (BSIs) in the first 100 days after transplant. Modulating microbiome composition to improve outcomes after allo-HSCT for hematological malignancies is a prime goal, and at the Gut Microbiota for Health (GMFH) World Summit 2025, Peled shared two new findings. In one study, his team found that sucrose can exacerbate antibiotic-induced microbiome injury in patients undergoing allo-HSCT — a finding that 'raises the question of whether our dietary recommendations [for] allo-HSCT patients are correct,' said Peled, assistant attending at MSKCC, during a session on the gut microbiome and oncology. And in another study, they found that a rationally designed probiotic formulation may help lower the incidence of bacterial BSIs. In December 2024, the probiotic formulation (SER-155, Seres Therapeutics, Inc.) was granted breakthrough therapy designation by the FDA. With immunotherapies more broadly, researchers are increasingly looking at diet and modulation of the microbiome to improve both treatment tolerance and efficacy, experts said at the meeting convened by the American Gastroenterological Association and the European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility. 'Cancer patients and caregivers are asking, 'What should I eat?'' said Carrie Daniel-MacDougall, PhD, MPH, a nutritional epidemiologist at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. 'They're not just focused on side effects — they want a good outcome for their treatment, and they're exploring a lot of dietary strategies [for which there] is not a lot of evidence.' Clinicians are challenged by the fact that 'we don't typically collect dietary data in clinical trials of cancer drugs,' leaving them to extrapolate from evidence-based diet guidelines for cancer prevention, Daniel-MacDougall said. But 'I think that's starting to shift,' she said, with the microbiome being increasingly recognized for its potential influences on therapeutic response and clinical trials underway looking at 'a healthy dietary pattern not just for prevention but survival.' Diet and Probiotics After allo-HSCT The patterns of microbiota disruption during allo-HSCT — a procedure that includes antibiotic administration, chemotherapy, and sometimes irradiation — are characterized by loss of diversity and the expansion of potentially pathogenic organisms, most commonly Enterococcus , said Peled. This has been demonstrated across transplantation centers. In a multicenter, international study published in 2020, the patterns of microbiota disruption and their impact on mortality were similar across MSK and other transplantation centers, with higher diversity of intestinal microbiota associated with lower mortality. Other studies have shown that Enterococcus domination alone (defined arbitrarily as > 30% of fecal microbial composition) is associated with graft vs host disease and higher mortality after allo-HSCT and that intestinal domination by Proteobacteria coincides temporally with BSIs, he said. Autologous fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been shown to largely restore the microbiota composition the patient had before antibiotic treatment and allo-HSCT, he said, making fecal sample banking and posttreatment FMT a potential approach for reconstituting the gut microbiome and improving outcomes. But 'lately we've been very interested in diet for modulating [harmful] patterns' in the microbiome composition, Peled said. In the new study suggesting a role for sugar avoidance, published last year as a bioRxiv preprint, Peled and his colleagues collected real-time dietary intake data (40,702 food entries) from 173 patients hospitalized for several weeks for allo-HSCT at MSK and analyzed it alongside longitudinally collected fecal samples. They used a Bayesian mixed-effects model to identify dietary components that may correlate with microbial disruption. 'What jumped out as very predictive of a low diversity fecal sample [and expansion of Enterococcus ] in the 2 days prior to collection was the interaction between antibiotics and the consumption of sweets' — foods rich in simple sugars, Peled said. The relationship between sugar and the microbiome occurred only during periods of antibiotic exposure. 'And it was particularly perplexing because the foods that fall into the 'sweets' category are foods we encourage people to eat clinically when they're not feeling well and food intake drops dramatically,' he said. This includes foods like nutritional drinks or shakes, Italian ice, gelatin dessert, and sports drinks. (In a mouse model of post-antibiotic Enterococcus expansion, Peled and his co-investigators then validated the findings and ruled out the impact of any reductions in fiber.) In addition to possibly revising dietary recommendations for patients undergoing allo-HSCT, the findings raise the question of whether avoiding sugar intake while on antibiotics, in general, is a way to mitigate antibiotic-induced dysbiosis, he said. To test the role of probiotics, Peled and colleagues collaborated with Seres Therapeutics on a phase 1b trial of an oral combination (SER-155) of 16 fermented strains 'selected rationally,' he said, for their ability to decolonize gut pathogens, improve gut barrier function (in vitro), and reduce gut inflammation and local immune activation. After a safety lead-in, patients were randomized to receive SER-155 (20) or placebo (14) three times — prior to transplant, upon neutrophil engraftment (with vancomycin 'conditioning'), and after transplant. 'The strains succeeded in grafting in the [gastrointestinal] GI tract…and some of them persisted all the way through to day 100,' Peled said. The incidence of pathogen domination was substantially lower in the probiotic recipients compared to an MSK historical control cohort, and the incidence of BSIs was significantly lower compared to the placebo arm (10% vs 43%, respectively, representing a 77% relative risk reduction), he said. Diet and Immunotherapy Response: Trials at MD Anderson One of the first trials Daniel-MacDougall launched at MD Anderson on diet and the microbiome randomized 55 patients who were obese and had a history of colorectal cancer or precancerous polyps to add a cup of beans to their usual diet or to continue their usual diet without beans. There was a crossover at 8 weeks in the 16-week BE GONE trial; stool and fasting blood were collected every 4 weeks. 'Beans are a prebiotic super-house in my opinion, and they're also something this population would avoid,' said Daniel-MacDougall, associate professor in the department of epidemiology at MD Anderson and faculty director of the Bionutrition Research Core and Research Kitchen. 'We saw a modest increase in alpha diversity [in the intervention group] and similar trends with microbiota-derived metabolites' that regressed when patients returned to their usual diet, she said. The researchers also documented decreases in proteomic biomarkers of intestinal and systemic immune and inflammatory response. The impact of diet on cancer survival was shown in subsequent research, including an observational study published in Science in 2021 of patients with melanoma receiving immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) treatment. 'Patients who consumed insufficient dietary fiber at the start of therapy tended to do worse [than those reporting sufficient fiber intake],' with significantly lower progression-free survival, Daniel-MacDougall said. 'And interestingly, when we looked at dietary fiber [with and without] probiotic use, patients who had sufficient fiber but did not take probiotics did the best,' she said. [The probiotics were not endorsed or selected by their physicians.] Now, the researchers at MD Anderson are moving into 'precision nutrition' research, Daniel-MacDougall said, with a phase 2 randomized, double-blind trial of high dietary fiber intake (a target of 50 g/d from whole foods) vs a healthy control diet (20 g/d of fiber) in patients with melanoma receiving ICB. The study, which is underway, is a fully controlled feeding study, with all meals and snacks provided by MD Anderson and macronutrients controlled. Researchers are collecting blood, stool, and tumor tissue (if available) to answer questions about the microbiome, changes in systemic and tissue immunity, disease response and immunotherapy toxicity, and other issues.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The Who's Roger Daltrey Knighted, Finally. A Personal Congratulations
The great Who frontman Roger Daltrey awarded Knighthood. Courtesy Teenage Cancer Trust The great Who front-man/singer Roger Daltrey penned a memoir in 2018 called, "Thanks A Lot, Mr. Kibblewhite." The title refers to a middle school teacher in England who expelled Daltrey over a prank, berating him as someone who would never go anywhere in life. Daltrey says that gesture help straighten him out, and pushed him through life to prove Kibblewhite wrong. Well, Mr. Kibblewhite, Daltrey has just been awarded Knighthood by the Queen, one of the highest honors that the British Royal Family can bestow. I wonder what Kibblewhite would say to that if he were still alive? I've known Roger for quite awhile. In 2016, I helped him with a delicate charity situation concerning Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, perhaps the top hospital of its kind in the world. Afterwards, we got to know each other. I've always been impressed by Roger's humility, grace and self-deprecation, despite his many accomplishments in music. They don't need listing here - everyone is aware of them. The Who, for example, is one of the three major sixties British Invasion bands, the other two being The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, that helped pave the way for other British rock acts to break into America. Roger Daltrey (right) and Pete Townshend of The Who at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, celebrating the opening of a teen cancer facility there, March 2016. Stacey Severn But what many don't know is that Roger has tirelessly and quietly worked, for decades, with band-mate Pete Townshend helping teens with cancer, both with Teen Cancer America in the U.S., and Teenage Cancer Trust in Great Britain. Both organizations have grown into major world charities dedicated to helping teens stricken with cancer (links below) since he helped found them. As Roger once told me, children have specialized cancer programs, as do adults, but teens are often lumped into one of the two groups. It's not fair, he says, as teens are especially vulnerable at the transitional, awkward stage between childhood and adulthood, and therefore need special treatment, both physically (teen cancers tend to be more aggressive) and psychologically (think Alice Cooper's 'I'm Eighteen'). Roger is loyal, as well. He never forgot that simple Memorial Sloan gesture, and, over the years has offered me passes to concerts at major venues like New York's Madison Square Garden to see The Who and catch up with him backstage. A few years ago, he recorded a special video as a favor congratulating Farmington Woods Elementary School on its 20 years of International Baccalaureate status. And, most recently, he wrote an amusing cover quote for my classic rock book, "Amplified," which also includes an interview with him. The Who's Roger Daltrey (right) and Forbes writer Jim Clash backstage at Madison Square Garden, New York, NY, September 1, 1999. Michael JP Oakes As to Knighthood, he once joked with me about it. "I don't care about things like that, Jim. I've been too political to ever attain that type of position. I'm a human being, and none of us is perfect." Such a class act. Anyhow, Mr. Daltrey, a very heartfelt congratulations on a title well-deserved - and long overdue - and thank you from all the music fans and sick teens you've inspired and helped over the years. And, as you say, "Be lucky." (Oh, and to Mr. Kibblewhite, thanks.)
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
The shocking cancer link behind a common cosmetic procedure that puts millions at risk
Some women who get breast implants could be up to 16 times more likely to develop a deadly blood cancer, a government-funded study suggests. Around one in 500 women — the equivalent of 34million in the US — have a genetic mutation that appears to raise the risk of tumors forming in scar tissue around breast implants. Known as breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), the cancer develops when the rough surface of textured breast implants triggers inflammation that damages DNA and causes cells to mutate into cancer cells. Most patients survive if the implants are removed, but if left undetected it can spread elsewhere in the body and become deadly. Dr Paula Ghione, lead researcher and lymphoma specialist at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, said: 'If we look at the absolute numbers [seen in this study], it's still fairly rare. 'But the important thing to note is that when we look at women with this genetic predisposition, there is a big jump in the percentage with this lymphoma.' Of the 300,000 US women who get breast implants every year, nine in 10 have smooth implants, which have not been associated with an increased cancer risk. The women at risk of BIA-ALCL are those with mutations to their BRCA genes — sometimes dubbed the 'Angelina Jolie gene' — which significantly increases a woman's risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. In 2023, the latest data available, the FDA reported 1,264 cases of BIA-ALCL and 63 deaths in the US. For their study, published in the journal Blood Advances, researchers followed 3,000 breast cancer survivors at MSKCC who had breast implants after a double mastectomy. Double mastectomies are meant to stop breast cancer from spreading to other parts of the body. Of those, 520 were tested for BRCA mutations. About eight percent of patients, 43, who were tested for BRCA mutations ended up being carriers. After following the women for 12 years on average, the researchers found those with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations had a 16-fold increased risk of BIA-ALCL. They also found women with BIA-ALCL were 'significantly' more likely to have BRCA mutations. Dr Gione said: 'Our findings show that BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are a significant risk factor for developing this type of lymphoma, confirming earlier suggestions of a possible role. 'It's possible that implant-associated lymphoma is yet another cancer that can arise because of these genetic mutations.' Breast implants with textured surfaces, which can feel like sandpaper, are thought to create space where bacteria can accumulate and form biofilms, or collections of micro-organisms. These harmful biofilms can trigger an inflammatory response, which damages DNA and causes cells to mutate into cancer cells. Silicone in some implants may also lead to inflammation. Because the risk of BIA-ALCL is so low, the FDA doesn't recommend having textured implants removed unless women experience symptoms, which include pain, lumps, swelling or unexpected changes in breast shape. Dr Ghione said: 'The implants that are put in place now are theoretically safe; however, there are still a lot of women who are living with textured breast implants, so it's important that women know what implants they have and talk with their doctor and remember to report this surgery as part of their medical history.'
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Heartfelt Journey of Love and Growth Between Mother and Son
Tender and timeless, this new release from Palmetto Publishing explores unconditional love, growth, and the emotional journey between a mother and her son. And it's helping fund the future of cancer research. I hope you know Charleston, SC, June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- I Hope You Know by Holly Ray Folgia is a touching and sincere exploration of the profound bond between a mother and her child. This moving narrative captures the journey of growth, dependence, and love, intertwining themes of mutual learning and unconditional affection. Through a series of intimate and heartfelt exchanges, Folgia illustrates what a mother and child mean to each other through a rhythmic structure that resonates deeply with readers. The repeated refrain 'I hope you know' emphasizes the emotional weight of each shared sentiment, inviting readers to reflect on and remember their own foundational story unfolds as a dialogue filled with warmth and sincerity, highlighting the unconditional love that binds the characters while acknowledging the inevitability of change. This structure highlights the reciprocal impact of love and understanding, making it universally relatable to readers of all ages. With care and vulnerability, Folgia reminds us that the most profound lessons in life are often shared in quiet moments between those who love us most. I Hope You Know transcends mere storytelling; it celebrates the connections that shape our lives and the lessons that guide us through life's various stages. This enlightening exploration serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of these bonds, making it a meaningful memento for anyone embarking on new journeys or cherishing precious Ray Folgia arranged the narrative to resonate emotionally, inviting readers to reflect on their own experiences and the significance of shared moments-and this is where the book triumphs. Folgia notes, 'I wanted to create a book that resonates with families with the message that parents and guardians have so many opportunities to positively impact a child's life. The book is one that can celebrate any of life's milestones, whether it's a birthday, graduation, a wedding, or the birth of a newborn'. Although I Hope You Know was originally written in 2007, when Holly's sons were just eight and two years old, it remained a personal reflection tucked away-literally-until extraordinary life circumstances gave it new urgency. In October of 2024, when Holly and her mother were both unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer at the same time, the manuscript took on a deeper significance. What began as a quiet tribute to motherhood became a powerful expression of love, resilience, and legacy. Holly made the decision to publish the book and donate a portion of its proceeds to Memorial Sloan Kettering's ovarian cancer and fallopian tube cancer research—transforming a private message into a public mission of hope and healing. 'Publishing I Hope You Know became very purposeful: to give back and to help fund the research that will give others hope.' Readers will find at the back of the book ways to further donate to Memorial Sloan Kettering and to Break Through Cancer. I Hope You Know is not just a book-it is a keepsake. The book is celebration of the enduring connections that define us, ensuring its heartfelt messages will be treasured by readers of all ages for years to come.I Hope You Know is available for purchase online at and more information about the author, please visit Ms. Folgia's social media platform. Facebook: About the Author: Holly Ray Folgia is a graduate of Villanova University with a degree in Human Services and holds a Master's in Social Work from Rutgers University. She has dedicated most of her career to Early Intervention, helping young children thrive. Holly lives with her husband, Jim, and their Goldendoodle, Milligan. They raised two sons, Peter and Matthew. Holly cofounded 'The Rooted Foundation' a 501(c)(3), established to fund ovarian and fallopian tube cancer research. In her free time, Holly enjoys nurturing her garden, finding joy in the beauty of nature. Her book, I Hope You Know, reflects her passion for growth and encouragement, making it a perfect gift for life's milestones. Media Contact: Holly and James Folgia: folgiajhpm4@ Available for interviews: Author, Holly Ray Folgia Attachment I hope you know CONTACT: Leah Joseph Palmetto Publishing publicity@ in to access your portfolio
