Breast cancer spikes among women under 50, plus healthy foods that are high in calories

ESSENTIAL FOR ALL? – If you take ANY vitamins, which should you take? Here's what to know. Continue reading…

‘IT’S TOXIC' – Experts say drinking alcohol is linked to these six types of cancer. Continue reading…

RECIPE FOR REST – Doing this activity before bed could help improve your quality of sleep. Continue reading…

UNFAITHFUL FINDINGS – More than half of Americans with STDs were infected by cheating partners, a survey revealed. Continue reading…

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To reduce dementia risk, seniors should take up this outdoor activity, study suggests

Gardening could help aging adults stay sharp later in life, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology.

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland found that tending to gardens at an older age is associated with "small but detectable cognitive benefits."

The long-term study tracked participants who shared details of their lifestyles and completed "frequent assessments" of their thinking skills up to age 90.

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The "Lothian Birth Cohort 1921" study followed people who were born in the Edinburgh area, starting at age 11. The participants regularly took an intelligence test known as the Scottish Mental Survey of 1932. 

Hundreds of participants sat for the same exam at age 79.

Out of 467 participants, 31% had never gardened, while 43% gardened regularly.

The results revealed that the 280 who gardened frequently or occasionally showed "greater lifetime improvement in cognitive ability compared with those who never gardened or rarely did so."

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Between the ages of 79 and 90, the participants' cognitive ability — including memory, problem-solving and word fluency — declined in general, but the researchers found that the "earlier advantage of gardeners endured."

Study co-author Dr. Janie Corley wrote in a press release how identifying behaviors that "facilitate healthy cognitive aging are of major public interest for the prevention of cognitive decline and dementia."

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"Gardening is a key leisure activity in late adulthood," she said. "Engaging in gardening projects, learning about plants and general garden upkeep involve complex cognitive processes, such as memory and executive function." 

She continued, "Consistent with the ‘use it or lose it’ framework of cognitive function, more engagement in gardening may be directly associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline."

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Dr. Azza Halim, MD, an anti-aging specialist, noted that gardening has been studied as an anti-aging activity for seniors, providing physical, mental and emotional benefits, including for longevity and cognition.

Gardening also counts as "low-impact exercise" that is beneficial for cardiac health and circulation, the physician added.

"It provides mental stimulation to reduce cognitive decline, as well as fostering mental and emotional well-being, relaxation and decreased anxiety," she said. 

"At any age, it is important to engage in physical and social activities to maintain youthfulness — and more so in later years to stave off high blood pressure, depression, weight gain and cognitive decline."

The researchers noted that their work cannot prove a direct correlation between gardening and improved cognitive ability, as factors like available greenery and social interactions could have impacted these results.

The study is supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Executive Health Department. 

Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for comment.

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Hurricane Helene flooding: Mold in your home could cause severe health risks, experts say

The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has brought severe flooding to the southeast.

With excess water in the home, there’s an increased risk of mold growth, which can lead to serious health risks.

Mold in your home can look like multicolored spots and can smell musty, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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Mold can cause a variety of symptoms, such as stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing, wheezing, burning eyes and skin rash.

In an appearance on "Fox & Friends," Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel noted that wet walls can lead to mold that might not always be visible.

Siegel called out two "very serious molds" that he’s most worried about: black mold and aspergillus.

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Black mold can appear as black or dark green splotches, Siegel detailed.

Aspergillus is invasive and can cause aspergillosis, an infection that's usually respiratory, according to Mayo Clinic.

Both molds can provoke allergy symptoms and infections, as well as conditions like hypersensitivity pneumonitis, an allergic reaction that causes inflammation in the lungs, according to Siegel.

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Mold can also trigger breathing conditions like emphysema or asthma, the doctor added.

"I’m worried about people who are immunocompromised and have chronic illnesses," he said.

"It can be fatal if you’re immunocompromised or if you’ve had a transplant — you can get a severe case of infection from mold."

People with conditions like chronic lung disease can develop an infection in the lungs, the CDC stated.

Mold can develop in as little as 24 hours, Cleveland Clinic experts reported in a news release.

The sooner water damage is cleared up, the less risk there is for mold to grow, according to Maeve MacMurdo, MD, a pulmonologist for Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.

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"Obviously, the sooner the better, and it’s hard," she said in the release. "People are dealing with a lot, but cleaning up the water and mold remediation is a really big part of it."

For those who have regained power in their home, Siegel recommends plugging in a dehumidifier or air conditioner to dry out the space.

"Even if it’s cool outside, you want air-conditioning because you want to get rid of the humidity," he said. "The humidity is where mold grows."

The doctor also recommends using bleach or vinegar to wipe down mold spots on walls – or hiring a professional to detect and remove mold.

"There are professional organizations that can spot the mold that’s hiding in the nooks and crannies," Siegel said.

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For mold prevention, the CDC recommends keeping humidity levels at no higher than 50% in the home.

Air should "flow freely," helped by exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom, according to the same source.

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Fixing leaks in the roof, walls and plumbing will help ensure that no moisture in the home turns into mold, experts advise.

The CDC also recommends not using carpet in rooms where there is more moisture, such as bathrooms and basements, and replacing carpets and upholstery that have been soaked.

When cleaning mold spots, never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners, the agency warned, as this will produce a poisonous gas.

It is best practice to follow the manufacturer's instructions on the bleach container's label, open windows to provide fresh air, and wear rubber boots, gloves and goggles during cleanup, experts advise.

People with persistent symptoms should seek medical attention, MacMurdo urged. While the flu season will bring temporary viruses, mold symptoms will continue to linger.

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To reduce cancer risk, researchers recommend adopting these 4 healthy habits

While some cancers are driven by genetics, studies have shown that up to half of all cases are caused by behavioral risk factors — which means they’re preventable.

Doctors recommend some common lifestyle changes to prevent cancer, such as not smoking, eating nutritious foods, wearing sun protection and limiting exposure to carcinogens — but each person’s means of reducing risk can look different.

Researchers at Mass General Brigham have compiled four specific, research-backed strategies for reducing risk.

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Procrastination is one of the top reasons for missed cancer screenings, research has shown.

For example, colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in Black individuals in the U.S., but many do not get the recommended screenings.

A study by Dr. Adjoa Anyane-Yeboa, a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), found that "self-reported procrastination" was the primary reason for the skipped screenings, fueled by "financial concerns, COVID-19 concerns and fear of both the test and bowel preparation." 

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"The key takeaway from this study is that all providers should discuss colorectal cancer screening at regular intervals with all of their patients, because early detection through screening saves lives," Anyane-Yeboa told Fox News Digital. 

"To reduce their cancer risk, all people should be screened starting at age 45 and talk to their families about their family history to figure out if they need to be screened earlier."

"Colorectal cancer is preventable with screening, and screening really does save lives."

Screening guidelines for other types of cancers can be found on the American Cancer Society website.

Insufficient or poor-quality sleep has been linked to a higher risk of developing cancers.

Heming Wang, PhD, assistant professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), led a research team that examined the impact of insomnia on ovarian cancer risk.

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"Insomnia is a common sleep disorder among ovarian cancer patients," Wang told Fox News Digital.

"Our research revealed that insomnia increases the risk of a specific subtype of ovarian cancer and is associated with reduced survival in patients," he went on. 

"These findings highlight the importance of addressing insomnia in the prevention and management of ovarian cancer."

Based on these findings, seeking treatment for insomnia can help reduce the risk of certain types of ovarian cancer, according to the researchers.

Research has shown that regularly taking aspirin or another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) can reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer — but it can also lead to dangerous side effects, such as bleeding and inflammation.

"It is important to know if you are more likely to benefit from daily aspirin use," according to MGH.

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Daniel Sikavi, MD, and Andrew Chan, MD, of MGH, led a study that explored the link between aspirin and colon cancer risk.

"Our results suggested that people with a less healthy lifestyle — higher body mass index, more smoking, greater alcohol use, less physical activity and poorer diet quality — had a greater absolute benefit from aspirin use in reducing their risk of colorectal cancer," Sikavi told Fox News Digital.

People with a healthier lifestyle had a lower overall risk of colon cancer, the researchers found, but regular aspirin use didn’t have the same protective effects for that group.

"This work is an important example of a more personalized approach to cancer prevention by targeting effective prevention strategies to populations that are the most likely to benefit," Sikavi noted. 

More than half of the U.S. population consumes sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) on any given day, studies have shown.

Research by the American Cancer Society (ACS) found that men and women who drank two or more servings of SSBs per day had a 5% higher risk of dying from an obesity-related cancer.

"Despite their sweet taste, sugary drinks pose significant health risks," Longgang Zhao, PhD, a researcher at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, told Fox News Digital.

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"Researchers have already linked the beverages to obesity, diabetes and heart disease." 

Zhao recently led a study that investigated the link between sugar-sweetened beverages and liver cancer risk among postmenopausal women. 

"In our current study using data from the Women’s Health Initiative prospective cohort, we found that postmenopausal women who drank one or more sugar-sweetened beverages per day had a higher risk of developing liver cancer and dying of chronic liver disease than those who drank less than three or fewer sugar-sweetened beverages per month," he said. 

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"If a causal link is established between sugary drinks and liver disease, the broader implications for global public health initiatives are substantial."

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Breast cancer diagnoses spiking among women under 50, new report reveals

Although breast cancer deaths have been declining for decades in the U.S., diagnoses have been on the uptick among women 50 and younger.

That's according to a new report from the American Cancer Society (ACS) — Breast Cancer Statistics, 2024.

The good news is that since 1989, breast cancer mortality has declined overall by 44% — but diagnoses of the disease have been rising by 1% each year between 2012 and 2021.

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The biggest spike was seen among women younger than 50 (1.4% per year) and Asian-American/Pacific-Islander women (up to 2.7% per year), the report revealed.

The findings were published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

"Although the breast cancer death rate has declined by 44% thanks to advances in early detection and treatment, the continued increase in breast cancer incidence may slow progress in the future," lead author Angela Giaquinto, associate scientist in cancer surveillance research at the ACS, told Fox News Digital.

That is especially the case among women younger than 50, she said, whose rates are increasing by 1.4% per year compared to 0.7% per year in older women.

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Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer at the ACS, noted that women are "a lot less likely" to die from breast cancer, but that "alarming disparities" still remain — particularly for Asian-American, Pacific Islander, Native American and Black women.

"These gaps need to be rectified through systematic efforts to ensure access to high-quality screening and treatment for every woman," he said in the release.

The report compiled cancer data from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR), and the National Center for Health Statistics.

Second only to skin cancer, breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women.

This year, approximately 310,720 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and around 42,250 will die from the disease, according to the ACS.

"The increased prevalence of breast cancer is not only an issue in the U.S. — we are seeing similar trends in other countries as well," Dr. Christopher McGreevy, associate chief of breast surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, told Fox News Digital.

"The reasons for the increased prevalence of breast cancer in younger patients are complicated, multifaceted and still being studied," said McGreevy, who was not involved in the report.

SENIORS AND BREAST CANCER: WHY AREN’T OLDER WOMEN TOLD TO GET MAMMOGRAMS?

One reason for early-onset breast cancer is that more patients are obese, the doctor noted. 

"Excess weight, particularly after menopause, fuels estrogen production, a key driver of certain breast cancers," he said. 

Delayed childbearing can also increase the onset of the disease, McGreevy noted, as pregnancy reduces women’s breast cancer risk. 

"Environmental toxins, lurking in everything from plastics to pesticides, are also suspected contributors," he said. 

"These endocrine disruptors mimic estrogen in the body, potentially triggering abnormal cell growth."

Genetics could also factor into the uptick, according to the doctor. 

"Certain gene mutations, like BRCA1 and BRCA2, significantly elevate the risk of breast cancer, even at a young age," he said.

The rise among younger women could also be a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, fueled by delayed diagnoses due to interruptions in screening, according to the researchers.

There were some limitations associated with the study, the researchers acknowledged.

"The risk and trends in the study are for all women and are not able to account for individual patient characteristics, such as comorbidities or treatment received, or control for social determinants of health, such as insurance status," Giaquinto told Fox News Digital.

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"We also present statistics for the broadly defined racial and ethnic groups, which mask substantial differences within these populations."

The best means of prevention is to talk to your doctor about getting screened, according to Giaquinto.

"Early detection of breast cancer is one of the best tools we have for improving survival," she told Fox News Digital. 

"All women should keep up to date with their recommended breast cancer screenings. This is especially relevant for younger women, as the recommended age of the United States Preventive Services Task Force was recently dropped to age 40."

Women should also be aware of their family history and personal risk factors, Giaquinto added.

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"Women can also reduce their risk of breast cancer by moderating alcohol consumption if they drink, maintaining a healthy body weight and being physically active," the researcher advised.

"About 30% of all breast cancers are attributed to these lifestyle factors."

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These 6 ‘healthy’ foods won’t help you lose weight, nutritionist warns

While some foods are considered healthy and nourishing, they might not always be optimal for weight loss.

Registered dietitian nutritionist Ilana Muhlstein spoke with Fox News Digital in an interview about certain foods that could stunt health and fitness goals.

"There’s definitely a big difference between healthy and healthy for weight loss," the Los Angeles-based expert said. "This is something that I see so many people struggle with."

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It's possible to eat healthy foods yet still pack on pounds, she noted, "which is not healthy for your overall body, especially if you have weight to lose."

Here are six surprising foods that might not help you lose weight.

While granola is a classic topping for healthy snacks like yogurt and smoothie bowls, Muhlstein likened it to a "crushed-up cookie."

"People look at it as super healthy, but those oats are usually being tossed with nut butters, oils, maple syrup, honey, thrown-in chocolate chips and coconut shavings," she said. "They’re baked, it’s dense and a cup of granola can be 600 calories."

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Even a sprinkle of granola can add up to 200 calories, according to Muhlstein.

"[It's] really not a great bang for your buck when you’re talking about filling up on foods and staying within a healthy calorie range for weight loss," she said.

While oat-based foods like overnight oats and oatmeal can work well for people who are athletic, they might not be the best choice for those on weight-loss journeys, Muhlstein said.

"It kind of sits with them … they’re not able to burn it off so quickly," she said. "It’s really good before a workout, as you’re taking those carbs and using them efficiently."

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Muhlstein recommends pairing oat recipes with yogurt or protein powder for a more optimal meal.

Nut butters are "not a protein source," even though whole nuts contain protein, the nutritionist stated.

They can be used to add flavor or healthy fat to recipes like salad dressing, stir-fry or smoothies, she said.

"If you are trying to eat peanut butter for protein and you’re having a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, you are having a lot of calories, a lot of carbs … and very, very little protein overall," Muhlstein noted.

Seed-based snacks like chia seed puddings have grown in popularity as a healthy breakfast option.

Chia seed puddings, however, can be made with sweeteners like honey, maple syrup and coconut milk, which make them "very high in calories" and low in protein, Muhlstein revealed.

"It has plenty of good, healthy fats and could be great for your digestion, [with] Omega-3s and fiber," she said.

"But overall, it's not the slimmest choice if you’re trying to drop pounds on the scale and maintain a leaner frame."

While avocado is well-known for being a healthy fat, eating too much can hamper weight-loss goals. 

Most women only need about one avocado’s worth of fat in a whole day, according to Muhlstein.

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"When you get a salad with half an avocado on top of the dressing, on top of the nuts and everything else, it’s probably a lot," she said. "I usually recommend about a quarter to a third of an avocado at a time."

During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, many people turned to baking sourdough bread, which spiked its popularity.

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While sourdough does have some healthy qualities, as it’s fermented and can have a lower glycemic index, Muhlstein pointed out that it "still has calories."

"It’s still not cauliflower," she said. "It’s really funny how many people almost treat it like it is."

Some of Muhlstein's clients have made a habit of baking a loaf of sourdough every week and then eating the whole thing, she said.

"It’s really not working for their weight loss," she said. "But it’s the last thing they think is the problem, because it’s been touted as such a health food."

Pesto can be a delicious condiment on salads, vegetables and other dishes, but it is usually made with "lots of olive oil, lots of Parmesan cheese and lots of pine nuts," Muhlstein cautioned.

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"When you have that dipped with your bread, and it becomes excessive, it is a very high-calorie condiment," she said.

The nutritionist recommends thinning out a pesto recipe with lemon juice, Greek yogurt, or nutritional yeast instead of cheese and nuts.

Adding more basil will help thicken the recipe, while more water will help blend it.

"I know that sounds sacrilege to some chefs, but if you are really trying to get the flavor, there are ways to make a leaner pesto," Muhlstein added.

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Does everyone need to take vitamins — and which are most important? Here’s what to know

Advertisements and social media often suggest that vitamin supplements are important for optimal health — but are they really essential for everyone?

"Vitamins have become a multi-billion-dollar industry, with shelves full of supplements promising better health, more energy and a longer life," Andrea Soares, a registered dietitian from Top Nutrition Coaching in Miami, Florida, told Fox News Digital.

Just over 57% of American adults took dietary supplements between 2017 and 2020, with multivitamins and minerals being the most popular, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

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But what does this mean for you? Fox News Digital spoke to the experts to find out.

Vitamins are nutrients that are essential for the body to function normally, according to Jennifer Messer, president of the New Hampshire Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and a registered dietitian in New Hampshire.

"We cannot make vitamins in our bodies, and so we must get them in our diets," she told Fox News Digital.

(The one exception is vitamin D, which people can also get from the sun.)

Vitamins are either fat-soluble or water-soluble, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

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Fat-soluble vitamins — A, D, E and K — are stored in the body’s fatty tissue, liver and muscles, so they are absorbed better when taken with fatty foods.

Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body, so any excess amount is usually excreted in the urine.

Thirteen vitamins are considered "essential." 

These include vitamins A, C, D, E and K, as well as the B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, B6, B12 and folate), according to the NIH.

"For most people, a well-balanced diet is sufficient to meet daily vitamin needs," Soares told Fox News Digital.

Vitamin A is easily obtained from eating a balanced diet, vitamin E is abundant in common foods, and most people get enough vitamin C if they eat fruits and vegetables like oranges, strawberries and bell peppers, she said.

Some people don’t get enough vitamins from dietary sources, however.

Certain vitamin deficiencies can potentially cause health problems.

"In the U.S., the FDA updated nutrition labels to reflect nutrients of public health concern due to deficiencies or inadequacies in the general population," Messer told Fox News Digital.

Vitamin A helps maintain good eyesight, for example — and children who get an inadequate amount are at risk for blindness, according to the CDC. 

As vitamin D supports bone health and immune function, people with limited sun exposure may be more prone to bone diseases like osteoporosis, research has shown.

"As of recent regulations, vitamin D is required on nutrition labels," Messer noted.

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Vitamin B12 is essential for red blood cell production and nerve function, according to Soares.

Folate supports DNA synthesis and prevents neural tube defects (birth defects of the brain, spine or spinal cord), so it is important for women to get adequate amounts before and during early pregnancy, per the CDC.

It’s a common misconception, however, that vitamin supplements are beneficial for everyone, according to Messer.

"Technically, all vitamins are necessary — however, it is unnecessary to supplement a vitamin unless you are found to be deficient," she said.

"An individual’s supplement requirements will vary based on medical conditions, dietary restrictions, malabsorption issues and nutrient deficiencies."

Certain groups may have a greater need for vitamin supplements than others.

"While a vegan diet can fulfill many nutrient requirements, there are certain vitamins, such as vitamin B12 and vitamin D, that may need closer attention," Messer said.

People who need to avoid certain foods due to allergies or intolerances may also require supplementation. 

People managing certain gastrointestinal conditions like Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis can have impaired nutrient absorption, particularly with fat-soluble vitamins, Messer noted.

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Liver disease can also impair the body's ability to store some vitamins, particularly those that are fat-soluble.

Chronic kidney disease can affect the balance of certain vitamins, especially vitamin D, Messer said.

Athletes with a high training load may also require additional vitamins to support energy metabolism and bone health, she added.

Experts recommend consulting with a doctor before taking a supplement. A simple blood test can reveal if any nutrients are at deficient levels.

Fat-soluble vitamins — A, D, E and K — can accumulate in the body and lead to toxicity if taken in excess, according to Messer.

"Water-soluble vitamins (like B and C) are generally excreted if taken in excess, but mega-dosing can still have unwanted side effects," she told Fox News Digital.

The quality and safety of dietary supplements can vary widely, as they are not FDA-regulated.

"It's important to choose reputable brands and products due to possible variances in the amount of nutrients listed on the label, as well as potential contamination," Messer advised.

She recommends searching for a third-party tested seal on the supplement’s label, such as "USP Verified," which indicates that the product "contains the ingredients listed on the label in the declared potency and amounts."

Many people often inquire about vitamin D supplements, Messer said.

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"It's important to supplement only with the required amount of vitamin D if a deficiency is confirmed through labs," she cautioned.

(The Endocrine Society — a global organization focused on endocrinology and metabolism — now no longer recommends routine screening or vitamin D supplementation for healthy adults under the age of 75 years old.)

"It can be dangerous if vitamin D levels remain high over a prolonged period, as excessive amounts may cause an array of issues, including kidney stones," Messer added. 

It's also important to be aware of any potential interactions between vitamins and other medications, experts say.

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"Medication interactions occur when vitamins like K reduce the effectiveness of blood thinners, or calcium affects antibiotic absorption," Soares warned.

Experts recommend talking to your doctor before starting any new supplements to discuss potential risks and safe dosage amounts.

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