Connection Between Drinking & Breast Cancer , Swabbing For Lung Cancer & Juicing Facts

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7:00am Segment Info:
A new study finds drinking too much alcohol can increase a woman's risk of breast cancer.

According to the report even moderate alcohol consumption, defined as one or two drinks per day, increases the risk... And the more a woman drank, the higher her risk. Compared to women who did not drink at all, those who drank just one or two drinks a day had a 32 percent increased risk of estrogen and progesterone receptor positive breast cancer... And women who had three or more glasses of alcohol daily had a 51% increased risk.

What's the alcohol breast cancer connection?

VIDEO & MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

There have been lots of studies looking at alcohol and breast cancer. There have also been laboratory studies, which have shown that alcohol increases the amount of estrogen metabolites in a woman's body, which acts as fuel for hormone-sensitive breast cancer. This study provides proof that alcohol affects estrogen metabolism, which in turn increases the risk of hormone sensitive breast cancer. What this means is if you're a woman who has a strong family history of breast cancer, you may want to limit the amount of alcohol you drink

Speaking of cancer, there's a new study that could predict lung cancer risk.

It's as simple as a swab of the cheek. There's a new mouth test being developed that could predict lung cancer in smokers.

The test checks for damage to cells that line the mouth. Researchers say this damage is similar to what they see in the lungs in smokers. All they do is wipe the inside of the cheek with a brush similar to a DNA test to get a look at the cells there. They hope the mouth swab will one day tell them who is developing lung cancer early on and who is at risk. This could save patients from the painful and dangerous biopsies of the lung and offer early treatment.

Could it test for other cancers as well?

It could. The researchers say not only lung cancer, but pancreatic, bladder and head and neck cancers... All of which are associated with tobacco. A test like this would be extremely helpful. Lung cancer from smoking causes very few symptoms until it's too late. Which is part of the reason why so many people die from it.

8:00am Ask The Doctor Segment Info:

1. John from Manhattan asks: Why does your urine smell after eating asparagus?

The funky smell of your urine comes from sulfur containing amino acids which breakdown in the body after you eat it. Asparagus is actually broken into six different sulfur compounds. If the smell is familiar, you may not be surprised to know those same sulfur compounds are what give skunks their smell. The good news is that the smell is temporary and has no adverse side effects unless of course you forget to flush.

2. Vincent from the Bronx asks: I just brought a juicer and I'm wondering if it's safe to mix fruits with vegetables?

Of course it's safe to mix fruits with vegetables.. Just like it's ok to eat the two together. But remember one thing about juicers. While the juice you're eating is loaded with vitamins and nutrients that are good for you.. You're stripping out the fiber. And that's a very important part. That's why i prefer to eat my fruits and vegetables in their whole form. Just like nature made them. But if you love juicing.. Occasionally juicing is just fine.

3. Jenna from Westchester, NY asks: What is the amount of calories you need to take in when you're trying to lose weight?

Ear infections are caused by a virus. The middle ear becomes inflamed from the infection, and fluid builds up behind the eardrum. When you're little you're prone to ear infections because the Eustachian tubes which connect your ears to your nose are shorter narrower and flatter allowing fluid to collect more easily. That's why children are more prone to ear infections than adults.