New York thoracic surgeon: "For many patients 9/11 is not over"
A New York thoracic surgeon reflects on the long-term health consequences faced by 9/11 first responders, noting that many are still dying from illnesses linked to their exposure at Ground Zero. The piece highlights the emotional toll on survivors and the medical community as they continue to treat patients decades after the attacks.
Why it matters
It underscores the ongoing, often overlooked health crisis affecting 9/11 survivors and first responders, emphasizing that the impact of the tragedy persists long after the event.
Emergency workers at ground zero on the evening of Sept. 11, 2001, hours after terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York City. Mark Lennihan/AP By Raja Flores
Flores is the chair of the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, where he treats patients with mesothelioma, lung, and esophageal cancer.
Retired New York City police officer John Aris sat in my office recently waiting for the results of his latest CT scan.
Seven years earlier, I had removed part of his right lung because of cancer. Since then, every follow-up appointment has carried the same anxiety. Before I had even closed the examination room door behind me, I offered the words he had hoped to hear: “No cancer.”
He let out a long breath and settled back into his chair. As always, we lingered and talked about life, politics, and family.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in