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New global data shows sharp increases ahead as health gaps and lifestyle risks collide

• Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women globally, with cases expected to surge by 2050.

• Researchers analyzed decades of data across more than 200 countries to track trends and risks.

• A significant share of the disease burden is tied to modifiable lifestyle factors like diet and smoking.

Breast cancer continues to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide and new research suggests the burden is only going to grow.

According to a large global analysis published in The Lancet Oncology, there were an estimated 2.3 million new cases and 764,000 deaths in 2023 alone. Even more concerning: those numbers are projected to rise sharply in the coming decades, with cases expected to exceed 3.5 million annually by 2050.

While advances in screening and treatment have improved outcomes in some parts of the world, the disease is increasingly impacting countries with fewer health care resources. Researchers emphasize that breast cancer isnt just a medical issue its also tied to broader factors like access to care, early detection, and prevention strategies.

Breast cancer continues to take a profound toll on womens lives and communities, lead author Kayleigh Bhangdia said in a news release.

While those in high-income countries typically benefit from screening and more timely diagnosis and comprehensive treatment strategies, the mounting burden of breast cancer is shifting to low- and lower middle-income countries where individuals often face later-stage diagnosis, more limited access to quality care, and higher death rates that are threatening to eclipse progress in womens health.

How the study was conducted

To understand the full scope of breast cancer worldwide, researchers used data from the Global Burden of Disease Study. This included information from cancer registries, national health records, and even interviews with family members of women who died from the disease.

The study examined trends from 1990 through 2023 across 204 countries and territories, offering one of the most comprehensive looks at breast cancer to date. Researchers also estimated years of healthy life lost, a metric that captures not just deaths but also the impact of illness and disability.

Importantly, the analysis didnt just track cases it also looked at risk factors. The team identified several modifiable contributors, including high red meat consumption, tobacco use, high blood sugar, elevated body weight, alcohol use, and low physical activity.

What the researchers found

The findings highlight a stark and uneven global picture. While high-income countries tend to have higher diagnosis rates, theyve seen improvements in survival likely due to better screening and treatment. Meanwhile, lower-income countries are experiencing faster increases in both cases and deaths, often due to later diagnoses and limited access to care.

Another key takeaway: lifestyle factors play a meaningful role. Researchers estimate that about 28% of the global breast cancer burden is linked to modifiable risks, suggesting that prevention efforts could make a real difference.

The study also found that although breast cancer is more common in older women, rates are rising among younger women as well a shift that may reflect changing risk patterns over time.

With more than a quarter of the global breast cancer burden linked to six modifiable lifestyle changes there are tremendous opportunities to alter the trajectory of breast cancer risk for the next generation, co-senior author Dr. Marie Ng said in the news release.

Targeting known risk factors through public health policies and making healthier choices more accessible, while working with individuals to take action to reduce obesity and high blood sugar, is crucial to halting the rise in breast cancers worldwide.

Subscription prices are rising across plans, leaving users to decide if ad-free viewing is still worth it

• YouTube Premium prices are increasing across all major plans in the U.S.

• The individual plan now costs $15.99/month, with bigger jumps for families.

• The change reflects a broader trend of rising streaming subscription costs.

For millions of viewers, YouTube has become part of daily life whether its for music, workouts, or mindless scrolling before bed. But if youre paying to skip the ads, that convenience is about to cost you more.

YouTube has officially raised prices for its Premium and Music subscriptions in the U.S., marking the first increase since 2023 and putting it in line with a wider wave of streaming price hikes.

The changes are already in effect for new subscribers and will roll out to existing users over the next few months, meaning your next bill could look a little different.

Whats changing with YouTube Premium pricing

The biggest shift is to the standard individual plan, which now costs $15.99 per month a $2 increase from its previous price of $13.99.

Other plans are going up too:

• Family plan:Now $26.99/month (up $4)

• Student plan: Now $8.99/month (up $1)

• YouTube Music Premium: Also seeing a roughly $1 increase, depending on the plan

YouTube says the price bump is meant to maintain and improve the service while supporting creators and artists. That includes perks like ad-free videos, background playback, offline downloads, and access to a massive music library.

Subscribers should receive at least 30 days notice before the new pricing hits their account, with most existing users seeing the change reflected starting in June 2026.

What this means for you

If youre already subscribed, nows a good time to take stock of how much you actually use the service. If you rely on YouTube daily especially for music or long-form content the ad-free experience and bundled features may still justify the higher price.

But if you signed up casually or mostly tolerate ads anyway, this could be the nudge to reconsider. Some users are already questioning whether the service delivers enough value compared to competitors, especially as prices continue to climb across the streaming industry.

One thing is clear: YouTube isnt alone. From Netflix to Hulu, subscription costs are rising almost everywhere, and streamflation is becoming the norm.

Spam calls are getting smarter, but your phone is too

• Turn on built-in filters first: Use your phones Silence Unknown Callers (iPhone) or spam protection settings (Android) to automatically block or send unfamiliar numbers to voicemail.

• Use your carriers free tools: Services like AT&T ActiveArmor, Verizon Call Filter, and T-Mobile Scam Shield can stop robocalls before your phone even rings.

• Layer in extra protection if needed: Block repeat offenders manually and consider apps like Hiya or RoboKiller for stronger filtering and spoofed-number detection.

Spam calls arent just annoying anymore; they seem to be constant. If youve stopped answering your phone unless you recognize the number, youre not alone.

But according to PC Mag senior writer, Kim Key, you dont have to put up with it anymore. Along with some clever third-party apps, she says there are some simple settings already built into your phone that can dramatically cut down on robocalls and scam attempts.

Heres how Key was able to silence them for good and how you can too.

Start with your phones built-in tools

Both iOS and Android devices already have spam-blocking features, buy many people just never turn them on.

On iPhones, you can enable Silence Unknown Callers, which automatically sends any number not in your contacts straight to voicemail. You find this by going to Settings Apps Phone.

On Android, you can block unknown numbers and flag spam calls directly from your call settings.

These tools do most of the heavy lifting without requiring any extra apps or subscriptions.

Use your carriers free spam filters

Key brings up the great point that your mobile provider likely offers built-in protection youre already paying for.

She specifically cites these three:

• AT&T offers ActiveArmor
• Verizon has Call Filter
• T-Mobile provides Scam Shield

These services can label suspicious calls, block known robocallers, and send risky numbers straight to voicemail before your phone even rings.

Block repeat offenders (but dont rely on it alone)

You can and should block numbers that keep calling, especially if its the same telemarketer or scammer hitting you over and over. On both iOS and Android, it only takes a few taps to stop that number from reaching you again.

That said, this is more of a cleanup tool than a full solution. Many robocallers spoof or rotate phone numbers, meaning the next call might come from a completely different number that looks local or familiar.

So, while blocking helps reduce repeat annoyances, it works best alongside broader filters like silencing unknown callers or carrier-level protection.

Let your phone screen calls for you

This is where things have quietly gotten much better. Newer phone updates can act like a built-in gatekeeper. Instead of your phone ringing, it can automatically intercept unknown callers and prompt them to say why theyre calling.

If its a real person, like a doctors office or delivery driver, theyll usually respond clearly and youll see that message before deciding to pick up. If its a robocall or scam, it often hangs up or fails the screening entirely.

The end result is fewer interruptions, less guesswork, and you only have to deal with calls that actually matter.

Add a third-party app if the problem is persistent

If spam calls are still slipping through, Key recommends apps like Hiya or RoboKiller can really help. These apps rely on massive, constantly updated databases of known scam and robocall numbers.

They can automatically block suspicious calls, flag risky numbers before you answer, and in some cases even stop spoofed calls that mimic your area code. Some apps also let you customize your settings, like blocking calls that look similar to your own number or sending certain types straight to voicemail.

Just keep in mind that the free versions usually cover only the basics, while premium plans will unlock more advanced filtering.

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New research links everyday PFAS exposure to faster biological aging signals

• Certain forever chemicals were linked to faster biological aging in adults, especially men ages 5064.

• Researchers analyzed blood samples and DNA markers to estimate how quickly the body is aging.

• The findings show a connection not proof that PFAS exposure may influence aging at the cellular level.

Forever chemicals, also known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), are widely used in everyday products because they resist heat, water, and stains. The catch? They dont break down easily and can build up in the body over time.

A new study published in Frontiers in Aging takes a closer look at how some of these chemicals might be linked to biological aging essentially, how fast your body is aging on a cellular level, which doesnt always match your actual age.

"Here we show that specific forever chemicals, namely perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA), appear to accelerate biological aging, with middle-aged men being the most vulnerable group, researcher Dr. Xiangwei Li said in a news release.

These findings suggest that some newer PFAS alternatives are not necessarily low-risk replacements and warrant serious attention regarding their environmental impact."

How the study was conducted

To understand the connection, researchers analyzed data from a group of older U.S. adults. They looked at blood samples collected through a national health survey and measured levels of various PFAS chemicals.

From there, they used what are known as epigenetic clocks tools that examine DNA methylation patterns to estimate each persons biological age. These clocks are designed to capture how well the body is functioning at a molecular level, offering a more nuanced picture than just counting birthdays.

The team then applied statistical models to see whether higher levels of PFAS in the blood were associated with signs of accelerated aging. Importantly, they accounted for other factors that could influence health, including lifestyle and inflammation, to better isolate the relationship between PFAS exposure and aging markers.

What the researchers found

The results pointed to a notable pattern: higher concentrations of PFNA and PFOSA were linked to faster biological aging but primarily in men between the ages of 50 and 64.

In this group, these chemicals were strong predictors of accelerated epigenetic aging, meaning their cells appeared biologically older than expected. Interestingly, the same association wasnt observed in women, even though PFAS levels were similar across groups.

The study also found that different chemicals may affect the body in different ways. For example, PFNA was more consistently tied to aging markers linked to mortality, while other PFAS were associated with changes in metabolism-related aging signals.

Its important to note that the findings show a correlation not direct cause and effect. Still, the results highlight a potential link between environmental exposures and how the body ages, especially during midlife when biological systems may already be shifting.