Consumer News: The Costco Pharmacy: How it works, what it costs, and who should use it

The study highlighted the role that lifestyle factors and infections play in cancer risk

• Roughly 3740% of all new cancer cases in 2022about 7.1 millionwere linked to preventable causes, suggesting major opportunities for prevention.

• Tobacco use, infections, and alcohol are the largest contributors to these preventable cancer cases globally.

• The study examined 30 modifiable risk factors across 185 countries and 36 cancer types, providing the broadest global picture yet of where prevention could make a difference.

A new global analysis published in Nature Medicine and highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that a surprisingly large share of cancer cases might be linked to things we can change or control from personal habits like smoking to environmental exposures and even certain infections.

Cancer is one of the worlds top causes of sickness and death. The new study looks beyond genetics and aging to focus on what researchers call modifiable risk factors influences that people or governments can reduce or avoid.

By examining patterns across countries and population groups, we can provide governments and individuals with more specific information to help prevent many cancer cases before they start, researcher Dr. Andr Ilbawi, WHO Team Lead for Cancer Control, said in a news release.

The study

The study included a global data analysis that combined two major components:

1. Cancer incidence data from 2022, covering 36 cancer types in 185 countries.

2. Information about exposure to 30 different modifiable risk factors from roughly a decade earlier the idea being that many cancers take years to develop after exposure.

Those 30 risk factors span behavioral habits like smoking and drinking, environmental exposures such as air pollution and ultraviolet radiation, lifestyle factors like obesity and physical inactivity, occupational hazards, and infections known to cause cancer (including viruses like HPV and bacteria like Helicobacter pylori).

Researchers used established statistical methods to estimate what portion of cancer cases could be attributed to these factors essentially estimating how many diagnoses might not have happened if exposures were lower or eliminated.

The results

The headline finding: about 7.1 million of the 18.7 million new cancer cases worldwide in 2022 (roughly 37.8%) were linked to modifiable risk factors.

Heres how that breaks down in broad strokes:

• Tobacco smoking was the top preventable contributor, accounting for around 15% of all new cases.

• Infections including viruses and bacteria that can cause cancer were responsible for about 10%.

• Alcohol consumption accounted for around 3%.

Certain cancers like lung, stomach and cervical cancers made up almost half of the preventable cases identified.

The analysis also found big differences between men and women and between regions, reflecting how exposures (e.g., smoking rates, infection rates, air quality) vary across populations.

Why it matters

This research doesnt suggest that every case of cancer could be stopped, or that individuals are to blame for their diagnoses.

Instead, it highlights where public health efforts and personal choices might have the biggest impact. Tobacco control, vaccination (e.g., against HPV), cleaner air policies, healthier diets and exercise, and safer workplaces could all play a role in lowering cancer risk for millions of people worldwide.

Its a reminder that while cancer is complex, some of the risk is in our hands to reduce and that sometimes prevention matters just as much as treatment.

Tying the knot might change what you pay for car insurance

• On average, married drivers pay less than single drivers because insurers often view them as lower risk, though rules and savings vary by state.

• State regulations, driving history, credit (where allowed), and claims history all influence whether marriage actually reduces your premium.

• Improving credit, bundling policies, shopping around, and taking advantage of discounts can often lead to bigger savings than marital status alone.

Youve heard all about wedding gifts and tax perks, but heres one benefit of marriage that might surprise you: it can actually influence what you pay for insurance.

Thats not just anecdotal industry data shows that married people often pay less for car insurance than those who are single.

Of course, marriage isnt a magic discount card. Factors like credit scores, driving records, whether you bundle policies, and even where you live all play into your premium.

To learn more about how marital status influences your insurance rates, what insurers look for, and how you can make informed choices whether youre single, married, or somewhere in between, ConsumerAffairs spoke with Susan Meyer, an insurance analyst from TheZebra.com.

How marriage affects your insurance premium

Many factors can influence how much you pay for car insurance, and your marital status can be one of them. According to Meyer, theres a sense of stability financially and otherwise that comes with being married that insurers sometimes take into account.

While your relationship status is seemingly unrelated to how risky a driver you are, married people do often pay less for auto insurance than single, divorced, or widowed people, she said. Thats because data has shown that married drivers tend to file fewer claims than single ones. Because of this, many states allow insurance companies to use marital status as a rating factor when pricing insurance.

However, not all states allow this. Meyer noted that insurance companies in Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Michigan arent allowed to charge customers different rates based on their relationship status.

What are the savings?

How much can you actually expect to save on your premium if youre married?

Married people pay on average nearly 9% less per year than single people, Meyer said. Divorced people pay approximately the same as single people, and widowed ones pay only 3% more than married people.

Meyer explained that these numbers are U.S. averages and insurance is a state-regulated industry. This means that different states will have different numbers.

The state where we see the largest difference is in Missouri, where there is a 15% difference on average between what married people pay for car insurance and what single people pay, she said. By contrast, in other states, the difference is much smaller. In Montana, the difference between married and single drivers is only 2%.

Is combining policies always the best choice?

Whether youre planning your wedding or planning for retirement with your spouse, combining auto insurance policies isnt always the best choice to save money.

Combining policies isnt always cheaper if one spouse has a higher rate (such as due to a history of accidents, violations or claims) or has different coverage needs, Meyer said. Some couples maintain separate policies initially after marriage, particularly if they are keeping separate residences temporarily or have complex asset situations.

How can single drivers save on insurance?

No matter what stage of life youre in, there are other ways to save on your car insurance plan. Meyer shared some tips that could potentially save you more than tying the knot:

• Improving your credit score:In states where credit is allowed as a rating factor, drivers can lower their insurance rate an average of 54% by improving their credit score by just one tier.

• Bundling home and auto policies:If you combine your policies with the same company, homeowners can save an average of 10% and renters an average of 5%.

• Discounts: There are a number of different discounts offered by different companies ranging from green vehicle or good student discounts to those based on driver behavior. The average good driver discount saves drivers with clean records between 10 - 26%

Be aware of your options

Meyer shared some final pieces of advice to help consumers ensure theyre always getting the lowest possible insurance rates.

While getting married might save you on insurance (especially if your love is a better driver than you), the best way to save money is to be aware of your options, she said. Make it a habit to consistently compare rates, so youre always aware of your options.

Its especially important to review your policies and compare rates when you make a big life change, like getting married or cohabitating with your partner.

Oxford researchers find subtle errors and oversimplification in the advice

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Researchers at Oxford University warn that popular AI chatbots can deliver medical advice that sounds confident but may be incomplete, misleading, or unsafe.

• The study found that even when AI systems cite credible sources, they can misinterpret guidelines or fail to account for patient-specific factors.

• Experts say the findings highlight the growing need for regulation, transparency, and human oversight as AI tools become more common in health care.

A new study from the University of Oxford is raising new concerns about the reliability of medical advice generated by artificial intelligence, warning that widely used AI platforms may inadvertently put users at risk.

The research, conducted by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and computer scientists, examined how large language models respond to common health-related questions. According to the study, AI systems frequently produced answers that appeared authoritative and well-structured, yet contained subtle errors, oversimplifications, or advice that conflicted with established medical guidance.

One of the most troubling findings was the tendency of AI platforms to generalize. Researchers found that chatbots often failed to distinguish between symptoms that require urgent medical attention and those that can be managed at home.

In some cases, the systems offered reassurance where caution was warranted, while in others they suggested unnecessary alarm.

How useful is the advice?

Dr Adam Mahdi, senior author on the study, said that while AI is able to give medical information, people "struggle to get useful advice from it."

"People share information gradually,"he told the BBC. "They leave things out, they don't mention everything. So, in our study, when the AI listed three possible conditions, people were left to guess which of those can fit.

The study also highlighted issues with sourcing. While AI-generated responses sometimes referenced reputable organizations or clinical guidelines, the models did not always apply those sources correctly. Advice could be outdated, taken out of context, or mismatched to the users situationparticularly for people with chronic conditions, multiple medications, or atypical symptoms.

Problematic design

The researchers stressed that the problem is not malicious intent, but design. Most AI platforms are not built to practice medicine, yet they are increasingly used that way as consumers turn to chatbots for quick answers about symptoms, medications, and treatments.

Oxfords team is calling for clearer warnings to users, improved training data, and stronger collaboration between AI developers and medical professionals. The team also emphasized that AI tools should supplement, not replace, qualified health care providers.

Heres what HVAC pros say to do instead

• When you close vents, pressure builds in the ducts, forcing your furnace to work harder and run longer.

• That extra back pressure increases wear and tear on components, which can reduce efficiency and lead to expensive breakdowns over time.

• Closed-off rooms can mess with airflow balance, causing the system to cycle more often just to keep the main living areas comfortable.

My wife and I are recent empty nesters, and when I got our heating bill in the mail, I started wondering if I could lower it by closing the vents in our kids old bedrooms and shutting the doors.

I mean it sounds smart, right? Shut the vents in rooms you dont use so your house stays warmer where you actually live.

So when I stumbled upon an article from The Spruce, where they interviewed a couple HVAC pros on this exact issue, I was intrigued.

Turns out this common winter trick can backfire and end up costing you more money and put extra strain on your system.

Why closing vents doesnt work in most homes

Modern HVAC systems are designed to push a set amount of air through your homes ductwork.

But the problem, according to the pros, is that when you start closing vents, the air has nowhere to go, which creates back pressure inside the system.

That pressure can:

• Make your furnace work harder.
• Increase wear and tear on components.
• Lead to airflow imbalances that reduce overall efficiency.

So instead of saving energy, your system may end up running longer and be less efficient.

This ends up driving your heating costs up, not down.

The one exception: zoned systems

If your home has a true zoning system (separate thermostats and motorized dampers inside the ducts), then airflow is designed to be adjusted room by room.

But simply closing floor or wall vents by hand is not the same thing, and it doesnt give you the same energy-saving benefit.

If youre not sure whether your home has azoned system, it's smart to assume it doesnt until you verify.

Smarter ways to lower heating bills

The HVAC pros also gave some great tips for those with the goal of a warmer home with a smaller bill. Tips that wont risk doing damage to your system.

• Use a programmable or smart thermostat: Lowering the temperature seven to 10 degrees for eight hours a day (like while sleeping or at work) can save around 8% a year on heating costs.
• Seal drafts around windows and doors: Cold air leaks around doors and windows force your system to run longer. Weatherstripping and caulk are cheap fixes with really fast payback.
• Upgrade insulation: Attics and crawl spaces are major heat-loss zones. Better insulation helps your home hold onto warm air.
• Change your air filter regularly: A clogged filter restricts airflow, making your furnace work harder. Replace every one to threemonths (more often with pets).
• Use a humidifier:Moist air feels warmer than dry air. That means you can stay comfortable at a slightly lower thermostat setting.