Consumer News: Medical debt is keeping people from getting other types of health care

New research explores fruit pigments as a potential ally against hard-to-treat tumors

• Compounds in dark sweet cherries were studied for effects on aggressive breast cancer.

• Researchers tested both prevention and treatment approaches in a mouse model.

• Results showed slower tumor growth, reduced spread, and changes in cancer-related genes.

A new study from Texas A&M University is taking a closer look at an unexpected place for cancer research: dark sweet cherries. Specifically, researchers focused on anthocyanins, the natural pigments that give these cherries their deep red color.

These compounds were studied in relation to triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. TNBC lacks common hormone receptors, which makes it harder to treat and more likely to spread to other parts of the body.

The goal of the research wasnt just to see if these cherry-derived compounds could shrink tumors, but also whether they could influence how cancer spreads and responds to treatment two factors that play a major role in patient outcomes.

Triple-negative breast cancer is considered the worst because it is more aggressive, higher grade, and has a higher mitotic index, meaning the cancer cells divide quickly, researcher Dr. Giuliana Noratto said in a news release. All these characteristics make it more likely to spread to distant organs and recur compared to other breast cancer types.

How the study was designed

To explore this, researchers used a mouse model designed to mimic aggressive breast cancer. The animals were divided into four groups: a control group, one that received anthocyanins before tumor development, one treated with chemotherapy after tumors formed, and a final group that received both anthocyanins and chemotherapy.

This setup allowed scientists to look at anthocyanins from multiple angles as a preventive strategy and as a potential complement to standard treatment.

In addition to tracking tumor growth, the team also examined metastasis, or how cancer spreads to other organs. They analyzed gene expression within tumors to understand how these compounds might be influencing cancer at a molecular level, including genes tied to metastasis and resistance to therapy.

What the researchers found

The results pointed to several notable effects. Mice that received anthocyanins before tumor implantation showed slower tumor growth without signs of toxicity. When combined with chemotherapy, the treatment appeared to slow tumor growth earlier compared to chemotherapy alone, while also allowing the animals to maintain body weight.

The study also found that anthocyanins reduced cancer spread to multiple organs, including the lungs, and lowered the incidence and extent of metastases in other areas.

On a molecular level, the compounds were linked to decreased activity in genes associated with metastasis and therapy resistance. This suggests they may influence how cancer cells grow, spread, and respond to treatment.

While the findings highlight a promising area of research, the study was conducted in animals, and further investigation is needed to understand how these results might translate to humans.

How to avoid the hidden costs of summer road trips

• Convenience costs add up fast: Overpaying for gas, grabbing overpriced snacks, and making extra stops can quietly add $100+ to your trip without you realizing it.

• Book hotels ahead of time: Lock in better rates early, compare options when youre thinking clearly, and avoid expensive last-minute panic bookings.

• Control the vacation mindset: Set simple spending rules so snacks, upgrades, and impulse buys dont slowly drain your budget.

With spring travel winding down, its that time when many families start thinking about an epic summer road trip. Some of my best memories with my wife and three kidswas on our road trips to explore our National Parks.

While road trips are supposed to be the cheaper vacation alternative, I learned that there are some pitfalls to avoid that can seriously eat into your trip budget.

Its not one big mistake. Its a bunch of small, this is fine decisions that easily stack-up to $300 to $400 without you even noticing.

Heres where I discovered the money really leaks and how to stop it.

Gas station traps (aka paying for convenience)

Not all gas stations are priced the same. In fact, prices can swing 40 to 60 cents per gallon within just a few miles, especially near highways, tourist areas, and busy intersections.

And on a road trip, youre way more likely to stop at the first place you see when the tank gets low.

Fill up at the wrong spot just a few times, and youve added $20 to $40 to your trip without getting anything extra for it.

What to do instead:

Start thinking one stop ahead. If youre getting low, dont wait until youre forced to pull over. Plan your fill-up in a less busy area a few exits before major highways or tourist zones, where prices are almost always cheaper.

Before you stop, quickly check gas apps like Upside or GasBuddy to find the lowest price nearby. It takes less than a minute and can save you 2050 cents per gallon, which adds up fast on a long road trip.

Pro tip: Gas stations right off the freeway are almost always the most expensive. I discovered that driving fiveminutes further would always get me lower gas prices.

Last-minute hotel bookings (panic pricing is real)

After a long day of driving, the last thing anyone wants to do is hunt for a hotel. So, most people pull over, search quickly, and book whatever looks decent.

Thats exactly when prices are highest.

Hotels (and even campgrounds) know when youre booking last-minute. They know youre tired, probably traveling with kids, and not in the mood to compare 12 options.

Even one or two nights of well just book something quick can easily add $100+ to your trip.

What to do instead:

Book your hotels ahead of time. Even if your trip has some flexibility, lock in your main stops before you leave so youre not stuck paying last-minute prices when youre tired and just want a room.

You can still keep things flexible by choosing reservations with free cancellation, but having something booked gives you price control.

If plans change, you can always adjust, but booking ahead means youre comparing prices when youre thinking clearly, not when youre desperate at 9 p.m. on the road.

The $40 'quick stop'problem

This one gets almost everyone. You stop for gas and think, Lets just grab a couple drinks and snacks.

Ten minutes later, youre walking out with chips, candy, bottled drinks, maybe some overpriced sandwiches and somehow you just spent $40 to $50.

Now multiply that by a few stops over a multi-day trip, and all of asudden your budget disappears.

What to do instead:

My wife and I would always pack a simple road trip kit before we left. Drinks, snacks, maybe even a small cooler. You dont need to eliminate stops altogether, just reduce how much you buy at each one.

Pro tip: Give yourself a set budget for convenience stops before the trip starts. Even something like $10 max per stop changes your decisions instantly.

Driving without a plan (extra miles = extra money)

Most people assume GPS will handle everything. And it will but not always in the cheapest way.

If youre not paying attention, you might end up:

• Taking longer routes.
• Sitting in unnecessary traffic.
• Missing better gas or food options.
• Making extra stops you didnt need.

All of that adds miles. And miles equals more gas, time, and more opportunities to spend money you didnt budget for.

What to do instead:

I would always take five minutes before we left each day and study our route for the day. I wouldnt just look at the fastest path, but also where wed stop for gas, lunch, and potential breaks.

It sounds really simple, but it cuts down on random decisions, which is where most overspending happens.

The 'its vacation'mindset

This is the sneakiest one to avoid. Youre on a trip. You want to relax. You dont want to nickel-and-dime every decision. So, you tend to loosen up a bit. Totally fair.

But that mindset is exactly what leads to overspending on things you wouldnt normally buy. Things like:

• Extra snacks
• Upgraded meals
• Random souvenirs
• Convenience everything

Individually, none of it feels like a big deal. But you put it all together, its your entire over-budget total.

What to do instead:

Decide ahead of time where you will spend more and where you wont. We would always splurge on one nice meal with the kids and keep everything else simple.

It actually gave the kids something to look forward to, and they would help us pick where we would stop for our fancy meal.

That way you still enjoy the trip, but you have ground rules and avoid letting every decision turn into a splurge.

Why this matters more than you think

None of these road trip mistakes are huge on their own. Thats why they tend to be easy to ignore.

But when you stack them all together, they quietly drain your budget:

• $40 extra on gas
• $100 extra on hotels
• $100+ on snacks and stops
• $60+ on random convenience spending

Thats your $300 right there.

And the frustrating part is you dont feel like you got anything extra for the money spent.

A little planning upfront means the same trip, just a lot less money wasted.

How to get the best Tax Day food deals

• Focus on the highest-value deals: Offers like Krispy Kreme BOGO dozens and Pizza Hut $10 large pizzas deliver the most real savings, especially if you split them or use them to replace a full meal.

• Use app-only freebies the smart way: Deals from Wendys, QDOBA, and Paris Baguette require small purchases or sign-ups, so only use them on food you were already planning to buy.

• Avoid the spend to save trap: Discounts from Grubhub, Subway, and Round Table Pizza can be solid, but only if they replace a planned meal not if they get you to spend extra just to feel like youre getting a deal.

Tax Day isnt exactly anyones favorite day, but restaurants are doing their part to soften the blow.

This year, major chains are rolling out a mix of BOGO offers, app-based freebies, and creative tax return promos that can actually save you some real money if you use them right.

Heres a breakdown of the best offers, along with how to get the most value out of each one.

Krispy Kreme

This is one of the strongest deals out there. Buy any dozen donuts at regular price and get a dozen Original Glazed free, in-store or drive-thru. If youre ordering online, use code TAXBREAK to get a free dozen with your purchase.

How to maximize it: Split this with a friend, family member, or coworkers. Thats essentially half-price donuts without doing anything complicated.

Wendys

Get a free six-piece nuggets with a $5 purchase, but its app-only.

How to maximize it: Pair it with a value menu item or a cheap combo you were already planning to buy. Dont treat the $5 minimum like extra spending.

QDOBA

Their Guac Relief promo is a little different. Rewards members can submit a quick entry about paying extra for guacamole elsewhere and receive a $5 reward toward a future entre. New members also get free queso and chips just for signing up.

How to maximize it: This is more of a delayed win. Stack the $5 reward with another promo later in the week to double-dip your savings.

Pizza Hut

Offering $10 large three-topping pizzas across multiple crust options. No complicated hoops, just a straightforward discount.

How to maximize it: This is one of the best replace a full meal deals. Skip delivery fees and do carryout to keep the total low.

Grubhub

Running a fee return promo where some users can score $20 in credit by submitting past delivery fee receipts. Theyre also offering $10+ off $50 orders and eliminating fees on certain larger orders.

How to maximize it: Only use this if you were already ordering takeout. The savings disappear fast once delivery fees and tips stack up.

Smoothie King

Rewards members get $3 off on April 15 after joining through the app.

How to maximize it: Use it on a higher-priced smoothie where the discount actually moves the needle, not a smaller item.

Paris Baguette

Free pastry with any beverage purchase for rewards members.

How to maximize it: Turn this into a cheap breakfast or snack combo instead of just grabbing a drink by itself.

Kroger

Offering buy one, get one 50% off frozen meals (through April 22nd with a digital coupon).

How to maximize it: This isnt a one-day freebie, but its great for stocking up on easy meals and offsetting future takeout spending.

White Castle

You can save 15% off your next meal at White Castle through April 17^th when you use the code WC15OFF.

You'll need to order online, or via their app, to be able to use the coupon code.

Subway

For those who are Subway Sub Club rewards members, you can take advantage of a BOGO deal on select footlong sandwiches.

Enter code FLBOGO at checkout. You must order through the app or online until April 28.

Round Table Pizza

ParticipatingRound Table locations is offering 15% off your order between April 15-19.

Just enter code RTP978 when ordering to get the savings. This offer is valid for dine-in, carryout, or delivery.

Patients say you have to invest the time to learn how to use it

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Mobile app use among commercial health plan members rose to 38%, while Medicare Advantage usage fell to 20%.

• Customer satisfaction increases significantly with familiarity and long-term use of digital tools.

• High-quality digital experiences strongly drive member loyalty and continued app usage.

Nearly every industry offers an app to deal with customers, but some are more effective than others. The health insurance industry continues to develop digital tools, and a new survey shows customer satisfaction is growing.

But there is a caveat customers must invest the time necessary to learn how to use them.

J.D. Powers2026 U.S. Healthcare Digital Experience Study found that repeated use of mobile apps and websites leads to a noticeably better overall customer experience, highlighting both progress and ongoing challenges for insurers trying to modernize digital engagement.

Health care can be an incredibly complex world to navigate, said Eric McCready, director of digital solutions at J.D. Power, noting that members approach digital tools with varying levels of comfort and a wide range of needs.

Adoption rises, but unevenly

Mobile app adoption is growing among commercially insured members, with 38% now using their plans app, up from 31% a year ago. However, adoption among Medicare Advantage members has slipped to 20%, continuing a decline after a pandemic-era surge.

The divergence underscores a key challenge for insurers: reaching older or less digitally engaged populations, even as younger or employer-based members increasingly rely on mobile tools.

Familiarity drives satisfaction

The study shows a strong link between experience and satisfaction. Members who have used their health plans digital tools for longer periods report significantly higher satisfaction scores.

For example, Medicare Advantage members with more than five years of tenure scored their app experience 102 points higher (on a 1,000-point scale) than those with less than one year.

This suggests that onboarding and education may be critical weak points. Many users do not immediately benefit from digital tools, but satisfaction improves once they become familiar with features and navigation.

Digital performance also plays a major role in customer retention. Among members who rate their digital experience highly (scores of 800 or above), roughly three-quarters say they definitely will continue using their plans app.

By contrast, poor digital experiences significantly reduce the likelihood of continued use, signaling a direct connection between usability and long-term engagement.

Whos the best?

Cigna Healthcare ranked highest in digital experience among commercial health plans, while UPMC Health Plan led in the Medicare Advantage category.

The study based on responses from more than 7,600 members and conducted in late 2025 evaluates digital performance across five key areas: visual appeal, navigation, information/content, speed, and telehealth.

For insurers, consumers are sending a clear message. Investing in simpler design, stronger onboarding, and targeted education could be just as important as adding new digital features.