Updated on Jan 10, 2025 | Cancer, Your Health
The U.S. Surgeon General recently released a report advising the public on the link between alcohol and cancer. According to the report, alcohol consumption increases your risk for at least seven types of cancer, including liver, colon, and breast cancer, and drinking is a leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States, contributing to almost 100,000 cancer cases a year.
Frances Lee, MD
“The advisory confirms what doctors have known for many years—alcohol causes cancer,” says Frances Lee, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine (Liver Diseases), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “This advisory is not meant to cause shame or fear, but to empower the public. We all have the right to know the risks of our daily choices, and this advisory is a way for people to know the risks of alcohol use from a reliable source.”
In this Q&A, Dr. Lee discusses what you need to know about the relationship between alcohol and cancer, how to reduce your risk, and how to get help if you need it.
How does alcohol cause cancer?
Alcohol and its metabolites causes inflammation and damage to DNA, which is the pathway for cancer development. Additionally, when you drink alcohol, you increase the absorption of other carcinogens in your environment—for example, chemicals from cigarette smoke. Alcohol can also increase various hormones levels, such as estrogen, increasing breast cancer risk.
What types of cancer does alcohol increase my risk for?
In addition to breast cancer, alcohol increases your risk for various digestive cancers, including in the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and colon. Alcohol also causes chronic liver disease, and alcohol-related liver disease is also now the leading indication for liver transplant.
Is there any safe amount of alcohol that I can drink?
There is technically no safe amount of alcohol to drink; as the surgeon general advisory notes, increases in alcohol intake leads to stepwise increases in risk for developing cancer. However, we live in a society where social events are often centered on alcohol intake. For those without risks for developing chronic diseases or certain cancers, it may be reasonable to consume no more than one standard beverage a day for women and no more than two standard beverages a day for men. In the end, you have to weigh the risks and benefits of alcohol in the context of each person’s unique risk factors.
How can I reduce my risk for alcohol-related cancers?
The only way to completely reduce your risk is to not drink alcohol. That can be difficult, even for people who are not heavy drinkers, since alcohol is part of our culture. But reducing your intake by any amount will decrease your risk for developing alcohol-related cancers.
When should I see a doctor?
Alcohol can cause various chronic disease that go unnoticed. As a liver doctor, I’m most concerned about alcohol-related liver disease that goes undiagnosed until it’s too late. Whether you are a heavy or moderate drinker, I recommend getting a regular checkup with standard blood work. If there is a problem with your liver enzymes, it is important to see a liver doctor and work together to reduce alcohol intake to allow the liver to heal and regenerate.
Are there any medications that can help me stop drinking?
There are medications that are very safe, even for people with liver disease. These medications are evidence-based and well tolerated. These medications reduce cravings by targeting the central nervous system, which has altered reward signals after years of alcohol intake. To be sure, the treatment of alcohol use disorder includes therapy/behavioral interventions, along with medications.
Jan 10, 2025 | Recipes, Your Health
Whether you have a craving for lime, mango, or guacamole, these delicious dips will make a nutritious snack for you and your guests. Enjoy!
Tiny Lime Scoops
Ingredients:
1/2 to 1 small red bell pepper, chopped into small cubes
3 peaches (fresh or canned), chopped into small cubes
3 tangerines, peeled (fresh or canned, drained)
1 lime, cut into wedges
Bag of multigrain tortilla chips
Preparation:
Place the pepper, peaches, and tangerines into a bowl. Squeeze the lime over the fruit and vegetables. Stir.
Dip and scoop the mixture with multigrain grain chips and enjoy.
Each serving:
13 chips and 1/4 cup dip
200 calories per serving
While I was taking nutrition class for a certification, I learned how to put fruits and vegetable together. The lime in this dip reminds me of my culture in Puerto Rico, and the bright colors are inviting. I enjoy this while watching my son’s baseball games, and I serve it at parties. This is a guilt-free treat, because of the nutritional value of the dip. – Taynisha, Jr Secretary/Scheduler, Mount Sinai Queens
Mango Salsa
Ingredients:
3 ripe mangos, diced
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup of chopped red onion
1/4 cup of packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
1 large lime, juiced (about 1/4 cup)
1/8 to 1/4 t salt, to taste
Preparation:
In a serving bowl, combine the prepared mango, bell pepper, onion, and cilantro.
Drizzle with the juice of one lime.
Using a large spoon, stir the ingredients together. Season to taste with salt, and stir again.
For best flavor, let the salsa rest for 10 minutes or longer.
Nutrition:
Serves 6
Calories 48
Total Carbohydrates 11.8g
Protein 0.9g
Fat 0.3g
Growing up I always loved mango which is a tropical fruit from my native Dominican Republic. It is a simple recipe that can be prepared in minutes. This tropical and colorful mango salsa is simple to make. Serve it as a healthy appetizer or side, with tortilla chips, tacos, meal bowls, seafood, and more! -Ana, Director Community Affairs, Mount Sinai Queens
Guacamole Dip
Ingredients:
4 large ripe avocados
1 clove garlic, finely minced
2 tablespoon of lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 slices whole-wheat pita bread
Preparation:
Add lime juice, garlic, and salt to a medium-sized bowl and combine. Cut avocados in half, removing the pits, and scoop the flesh into the bowl with the lime juice mixture. Mash the avocado with a fork until a creamy dip is formed, leaving some large chunks for texture.
Toast pita bread for one to two minutes until slightly crispy. Once toasted, use a sharp knife to cut into six equal triangles for dipping.
Serve the guacamole dip immediately with the toasted pita slices and cut-up vegetables, like carrots, celery sticks, or zucchini spears.
Recipe Tip: This classic guacamole is mild and creamy, making it a hit with kids. If making ahead of time, squeeze extra lime juice over the top and cover very tightly with plastic wrap to keep from browning.
Nutrition:
270 calories per serving
Makes 4 servings
Jan 9, 2025 | Infectious Diseases, Your Health
Norovirus, also known as stomach flu, is a group of viruses that cause inflammation in the stomach and intestines. There are an estimated 2,500 reported norovirus outbreaks in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While norovirus is common in the winter and spreads easily, there are actions you can take to keep yourself and others safe.
Bernard Camins, MD
In this Q&A, Bernard Camins, MD, Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the Medical Director for Infection Prevention for the Mount Sinai Health System, explains how to prevent and treat norovirus.
What are the symptoms of norovirus?
The most common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some people may have fevers and chills.
How long does norovirus infection last?
About one to three days.
How contagious is norovirus, and for how long?
Norovirus is very contagious. Most people are contagious for at least three days, and some people are contagious for up to two weeks, even after symptoms are gone.
How does norovirus spread?
Norovirus is primarily spread through fecal-oral transmission—for example, restaurant staff or members of the same household fail to thoroughly wash their hands after using the bathroom, then spread it to others through contaminated food. You can also get it by touching shared surfaces from a sick person after they use the bathroom and less commonly from droplets contaminated with the virus when an infected person vomits.
How can I prevent norovirus?
Number one is to wash your hands thoroughly with soap for 20 seconds before eating or preparing meals. Alcohol-based sanitizers do not work as effectively against norovirus. Stay home if you are sick and avoid preparing food for others or sharing food, and avoid shared bathrooms, if possible. If you do have to share a bathroom, disinfect the toilet, sink, door handles, and any other shared surfaces, after you use it. Do not share dishes, utensils, or cups.
How can I treat norovirus?
The most important thing is to prevent dehydration by drinking water, juice, or a sports drink. Eat bland foods if you can tolerate them.
How do I know if I should see a doctor?
While norovirus symptoms are often severe, most infections clear on their own after a few days and do not require a doctor. However, if you are not able to keep liquids down, you should seek medical attention.
What should I do if my child has norovirus?
Keep them home. Norovirus can lead to severe dehydration in babies and children with underlying health problems. Learn more about what to do if you suspect your child has norovirus.
Is norovirus worse this year than previous years, and if so, why?
There is no evidence that norovirus is worse this year compared to previous years. Norovirus outbreaks usually happen around January due to people gathering for the holidays. Peak season for norovirus is November through April.
Updated on Dec 5, 2025 | Your Health
As the colder weather is here and children typically spend more time indoors and in close contact, it’s common to see a rise in cases of respiratory viruses, such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). We have also seen what we now recognize as a seasonal rise in COVID-19 cases throughout the summer. Those combined with back-to-school season make it particularly important to stay vigilant with your child’s health and vaccinations.
Jennifer Duchon, MD, DrPH, MPH, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, offers ways you can keep your child protected and discusses vaccination recommendations.
“Vaccines for influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 are our most important tools for preventing these viruses and their complications,” says Dr. Duchon. “Staying up to date on vaccinations is critical to safeguarding not only ourselves but our most vulnerable populations, including young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.”
In addition, there are practices you can teach your child to prevent the spread of viruses. It’s recommended that everyone follow these tips:
- Wash hands often and with soap and water.
- Cover coughs and sneezes and sneeze into a tissue.
- Avoid touching your face or rubbing your eyes.
- Avoid people who are sick.
- If you are sick, try to stay home.
- Keep kids at home when they are sick.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces often.
“Recently, there has been a lot of information and ‘disinformation’ about vaccines in general, and information that seems conflicting can be very confusing. The vaccines that we give to children are safe and prevent serious complication from the disease that they target,” Dr. Duchon says. “The best place to get information is your pediatrician or other health care provider who cares for your family, and whom you trust. Part of our job as physicians is answering your questions, so please do not hesitate to ask.”
COVID-19
Though COVID-19 cases are much lower than during the pandemic, there are still cases that arise throughout the year, and it’s advised that parents remain cautious.
Some symptoms of COVID-19 include a fever, cough, shortness of breath, congestion and fatigue. Symptoms may be similar to a cold or the flu, so it’s important that if your child presents any symptoms, they get a test to determine the best course of treatment.
It’s recommended that children over six months old receive the updated 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they have received doses of earlier versions. The updated COVID-19 vaccines are aimed at protecting people from the latest strains of the virus. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are similar to earlier versions, relying on the same “messenger RNA” or “mRNA” technology and are expected to remain effective as the new strains emerge throughout the year.
RSV
The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) commonly causes mild, cold-like symptoms in most people, but can cause very severe symptoms, including difficulty breathing, in very young infants and elderly people. The RSV “season” typically starts in October in the Northeast, and cases tend to reach a peak in December. Babies and young children are more at risk to develop severe RSV.
RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children younger than one year of age. Additionally, most of the deaths or severe disease from RSV occur in infants up to six months old.
The most at-risk groups are premature infants; infants younger than six months of age; children younger than two with chronic lung disease or congenital heart disease; children with weakened immune systems; and children who have neuromuscular disorders.
Early symptoms for infants and children include a runny nose, eating or drinking less, or a cough, which may progress to wheezing or difficulty breathing. Very young infants may display irritability, decreased activity, eating or drinking less or apnea (pauses in breathing for more than 10 seconds).
There are two immunization strategies available to protect infants. Babies and some young children may receive an immunization containing an antibody against RSV (passive immunization) called nirsevimab. Nirsevimab contains monoclonal antibodies, which are man-made proteins that protect against RSV. Studies on the U.S. population have shown that this immunization reduces the risk of severe RSV disease by approximately 80 percent. It’s recommended that infants less than eight months of age get this immunization between October and March.
Additionally, pregnant mothers may receive an RSV maternal vaccine (active vaccination), Abrysvo®, at weeks 32-36 of pregnancy. When a person receives this vaccine, their body responds by making antibodies that protect against RSV. These antibodies are then passed to the baby. This vaccine is more than 80 percent effective in preventing severe RSV disease through three months of age and about 70 percent effective through six months of age. Immunization is recommended between September and January.
Speak to your health care provider to learn more about these vaccines and choose the right option for you.
Influenza
Children younger than five, and especially those younger than two, are at a higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications. Children of any age with certain chronic health conditions are also at a higher risk. While children over five are not at a higher risk, they can spread the flu to vulnerable groups, such as older family members. Also, children who catch the flu will feel miserable.
It’s recommended that children over six months old get vaccinated, not only for their own protection, but to protect those around them. There are two types of vaccine options currently available: the flu shot or the nasal spray vaccine. Speak to your child’s health care provider to find out which vaccine would be right for your child. It’s recommended to get vaccinated between September and October, but vaccination can occur any time if your child has not gotten the flu vaccine yet.
Nov 28, 2024 | Mental Health, Your Health
The holidays are a joyous time. But they can also be a very busy time, which can cause us to overlook the things we should be grateful for, the simple pleasures of life, and the importance of our health and well-being. Here are 10 holiday wellness tips from Mount Sinai Fit, whose staff of nutritionists—all certified diabetes educators—work year round to support the wellness of Mount Sinai employees and patients and help them to achieve their health goals.
Express Gratitude
Take a moment to reflect on your relationships with family, friends, and colleagues and all that is positive in your life. As you prepare for the holidays, set your intention to approach each celebration with gratitude, less stress, and greater happiness. Many experts believe that feeling grateful and expressing gratitude is beneficial to your health.
Celebrate Together, in Person or Virtually
This year, some of us may not be able to be with family and friends to celebrate the holidays in large gatherings. Consider sharing a recipe with them to make in their homes, and enjoy it together virtually.
Scale Back
It is okay to scale back your menus, to reduce food waste and not feel obligated to eat leftovers for days. Consider making fewer dishes, or try healthy alternatives, like a whole roasted cauliflower head as the main course or as a side dish. Use the holidays to try something new and seasonal for you.
Follow the One Plate Rule
Put the one plate rule into practice by implementing mindful eating. Enjoying your food and eating slowly. Take time in between bites to drink water and catch up with friends or family. Practicing mindful eating and portion control is one of the best ways you can allow yourself some indulgences while sticking to your eating plan.
Eat Vegetables
Fill at least half of your plate with non-starchy vegetables such as salad, other greens, and roasted vegetables. These healthy options will add volume, fiber, vitamins, and minerals to your meal. You will still have room, but less room, on your plate for other types of dishes. Roasting cauliflower, broccoli, butternut or delicata squash or carrots are delicious, healthy and satisfying. After they are roasted, they can be pureed with some olive oil and serve a nice substitution for mashed potatoes.
Keep Dessert to a Few Bites
Desserts can tack on a large amount of calories, fat, and sugar. Enjoy just a few bites of your favorite sweet treats and take a moment to savor them. Take time to appreciate the flavor and feel satisfied.
Drink Wisely
Sweet cocktails and beverages such as juice and soda are high in calories and sugar, which can increase blood sugar. Why not choose beverages such as seltzer, water or unsweetened iced tea to quench your thirst?
Move
Exercise and movement help to burn calories, improve blood sugar levels, increase energy and boost your mood. Plan to get in at least 30 minutes of activity each day. Invite family or friends to take a walk with you after each holiday meal.
Listen to Your Body
Eat slowly so that you notice when you are satisfied. Once you feel you are getting full, put down your fork and save the remaining contents of your dish for leftovers. Your body will feel better and you will be happy with your choices.
When Invited, Bring Your Own Healthy Dish (BYOHD)
Why not bring a healthy dish to share with your host and other guests? Everyone will appreciate your thoughtfulness.
