FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 • THE QUEENS COURIER 37 oped letters & comments KEEP WATCH AGAINST LONE WOLF ATTACKS IN NEW YORK The explosion that occurred in the Chelsea section Manhattan, injuring 29 people has once again brought us to the reality that no matter how much extra security has been put in place, if someone really wants to build and explode a bomb, they are going to do it. Our law enforcement does an excellent job of protecting us, but “lone wolves” cannot always be detected in time to prevent this type of scenario from occurring. We, as New Yorkers and Americans, always need to be more vigilant during these very dangerous times. If we see something suspicious, we need to report it to law enforcement immediately. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those 29 innocent people who were injured, and hope they will all make a speedy, healthy recovery from their injuries. Also, our deepest thanks needs to go to our fi rst responders who immediately converged on the bombing scene. We have the best police, fi re, EMT and other emergency service personnel in the world here in the Big Apple. John Amato, Fresh Meadows RENAME SUBWAY STATION FOR RICHMOND HILL When I had moved from Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, to Richmond Hill in a house on 102nd Street in 1967, the 102nd Street station of the BMT JJ train was at the border of Richmond Hill and Woodhaven. The station was then structurally closed and renamed 104th Street. I would like to propose to the MTA New York City Transit that the present name be changed to “Richmond Hill - 104th Street,” in view of its strategic location and the historicity of Richmond Hill. Fond memories light the corners of my mind, from hikes with teen friends in verdant Forest Park, warm Joe of Joe’s ice cream truck, the extravagant shows of the Dorr Dance Studio, the congenial Reverend Monsignor Leonard of Holy Child Jesus Roman Catholic Church, Jahn’s Ice Cream, and the New England religious ambience of churches as Pilgrim Congregational and Community Bible Free Evangelical Church, both on 89th Avenue. Decades later, I can proudly proclaim: Richmond Hill is my station. Joseph Manago, Flushing TIME TO GO CAR-FREE EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK Millions of Americans today, including many Queens residents, utilize various public transportation alternatives. They include local and express bus, ferry, jitney, light rail, subway and commuter rail services. All of these systems use less fuel and move far more people than conventional singleoccupancy vehicles. Most of these systems are funded with your tax dollars. Depending upon where you live, consider the public transportation alternative. Try riding a local or express bus, commuter van, ferry, light rail, commuter rail or subway. Leave your car at home. For local trips in the neighborhood, walk or ride a bike. For longer travels, consider many public transportation alternatives already available: Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York City Transit bus and subway, MTA Bus, Long Island Rail Road, New York City Department of Transportation Staten Island Ferry along with other private bus transportation owners. They use less fuel and move far more people than cars. In many cases, your employer can offer transit checks to help subsidize a portion of the costs. Utilize your investments and reap the benefi ts. You’ll be supporting a cleaner environment and be less stressed upon arrival at your fi nal destination. The ability to travel from home to workplace, school, shopping, entertainment, medical, library etc. is a factor when moving to a new neighborhood. Economically successful communities are not 100 percent dependent on automobiles as the sole means of mobility. Seniors, students, low- and middle-income people need these transportation alternatives. Investment in public transportation today contributes to economic growth, employment and a stronger economy. Dollar for dollar, it is one of the best investments we can make. Larry Penner, Great Neck A LOOK BACK IT’S TIME TO TALK ABOUT PROSTATE CANCER PREVENTION BY DR. WAYNE KYE Communication is key. We hear this frequently about relationships with our families and partners, but it’s also important when it comes to relationships with our health care professionals. Some types of cancer, including prostate, may not show any symptoms until the cancer progresses to a more advanced stage. For these cancers, it’s vital to know the risk factors and options for screenings so you can take charge of your health. Since women are often the ones who make medical appointments for the men in their lives, this message is important for everyone. September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and a good reminder to schedule a visit to talk with a health care professional about the second leading cause of cancer death in men. In 2016, an estimated 180,890 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United States, and more than 26,120 will die from the disease. In New York state alone, 12,010 men will be diagnosed and 1,550 will die from this disease. However, most men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer will not die from it. Prostate-specifi c antigen (PSA) testing is the primary screening method for prostate cancer (PSA levels are often higher in men with prostate cancer). If you are at average risk of prostate cancer, start talking to your health care provider at age 50 about the benefi ts and limitations of PSA testing. If you have a close relative who had prostate cancer before age 65 or if you are African-American, begin this talk at age 45. African-American men are at high risk of developing prostate cancer and twice as likely as white men to die from it. If you have more than one close relative who was diagnosed with prostate cancer before 65, start this talk at 40. This conversation with your health care professional is crucial because there are still questions about the benefi ts and risks of screening for prostate cancer. Screening for prostate cancer can be lifesaving. However, the PSA test and the digital rectal exam (DRE) — another method of screening — are not 100 percent accurate, and some tumors found during screening are unlikely to be life-threatening and could lead to unnecessary treatment. Talk with your health care provider to decide if screening is right for you based on your age, family history and health. Though early prostate cancer may not show symptoms and some men may never experience symptoms, you should inform your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following: trouble urinating, blood in the urine or semen, erectile dysfunction or pain in the lower back, pelvis or upper thighs. What can you do to protect yourself? While more specifi c research needs to be done on prostate cancer prevention, maintaining a healthy body weight, eating lots of vegetables, fruits and whole grains and getting regular exercise are good for your general health. Some risk factors for prostate cancer, like age, family history and race, are beyond your control, but the key to early detection and prevention is to be informed. Familiarize yourself with screening guidelines and your family history, and talk to your health care professional about your risk factors and the benefi ts and harms of testing. To fi nd out more, visit www.preventcancer.org. Dr. Wayne Kye is the spouse of U.S. Rep. Grace Meng and a member of Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. This 1910 photo from our archives shows Glendale butcher Andrew Kehl standing in front of his shop located at 2512 Myrtle Ave. in Glendale. The shop was located at the present-day address of 69-10 Myrtle Ave., which today is a Chinese food restaurant. Send us your historic photos of Queens by email to editorial@qns.com, share them on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/QNS) or mail printed pictures to Ridgewood Times, 38-15 Bell Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361. All mailed pictures will be carefully returned to you.
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