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Study: Having 1 Daily Drink Boosts Your Breast Cancer Risk

By U.S. News & World Report

Topping off a day’s work with a single glass of wine, liquor or beer may be part of your routine. But a new study suggests that this daily indulgence might boost your risk of breast cancer.

The report, from the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund, found this risk held no matter the type of alcohol. On a positive note, the researchers observed that running or fast cycling — virtually any type of vigorous exercise — lowers a woman’s risk of pre- and postmenopausal breast cancers.

The researchers took 119 studies into account, using data from 12 million women and 260,000 breast cancer cases. They found that one small drink (10 grams of alcohol, compared to a standard drink of 14 grams (or 0.6 ounces) raises a woman’s premenopausal breast cancer risk by 5 percent and postmenopausal risk by 9 percent.

Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s measurements, 0.6 ounces of alcohol is equal to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces (a “shot”) of distilled spirits or liquor, reports CBS News.

The most active premenopausal women decreased their breast cancer chances by 17 percent, and postmenopausal women by 10 percent, as opposed to the least active women. Moderate activity like walking and gardening meant a 13 percent decreased risk.

The study also examined how diet affects breast cancer risk.

“The findings indicate that women may get some benefit from including more non-starchy vegetables with high variety, including foods that contain carotenoids,” (found in carrots, for example), study author Dr. Anne McTiernan said in a news release. “That can also help avoid the common 1 to 2 pounds women are gaining every year, which is key for lowering cancer risk.”

Now back to booze. Do these findings mean women should quit their habit entirely because of one study?

“We’re not telling everybody to abstain,” McTiernan, also a cancer prevention expert at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, told CBS News. “We’re not saying anything other than small amounts do increase the risk for breast cancer.”

This is hardly the first study to tackle how alcohol impacts health, and it won’t be the last. These studies also often result in controversy. One key caveat of this one? Participants self-reported their drinking habits, CBS News notes, which can be fraught with error.

What’s clear is that while there are factors beyond your control, there are steps you can take to mitigate breast cancer risk.

“Wherever you are with physical activity, try to nudge it up a bit, either a little longer or a little harder,” Alice Bender, the head of the American Institute for Cancer Research’s nutrition programs, said in a news release. “Make simple food shifts to boost protection — substitute veggies like carrots, bell peppers or green salad for chips and crackers and if you drink alcohol, stick to a single drink or less.”

Just this year, more than 252,000 new cases of breast cancer — the most common cancer for U.S women — are anticipated.

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Study: Having 1 Daily Drink Boosts Your Breast Cancer Risk originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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