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CANCER LINK: Drinking alcohol, eating processed meat, and being overweight have been “strongly” linked to stomach cancer for the first time.

A new study from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) found an increased risk of stomach cancer for people drinking three or more alcoholic drinks a day (equivalent to more than 45g of alcohol per day).

Eating the equivalent of 50g per day of processed meat — two rashers — was also linked to stomach cancer, while being overweight or obese also increased the risk.

But eating citrus fruits may decrease the risk, experts said.

FERTILITY RISK:

Women who carry a genetic mutation linked to breast cancer may also have a reduced “reserve” of eggs, an Australian study has found.

Scientists urged women carrying the BRCA1 mutation to avoid delaying pregnancy until an age when it becomes more difficult to get pregnant.

Women are born with a finite supply of eggs that are not replaced as they get older.

A hormone called AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) provides an indication of their “ovarian reserve”, which can affect fertility.

The new study found a link between the defective BRCA1 gene and lower levels of AMH.

Carrying the mutation was associated with concentrations of the hormone 25% lower than those of non-carriers, on average.

MOUTH BACTERIA:

Certain kinds of mouth bacteria increase the risk of pancreatic cancer, research has shown.

Scientists already knew that patients with the disease, one of the deadliest forms of cancer, are susceptible to gum disease, cavities, and generally poor oral health.

The new study found that people whose mouth bacteria included the bug Porphyromonas gingivalis were 59% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than those lacking the microbe.

Similarly, the bacterium Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans raised the risk of pancreatic cancer by 50%.

The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research.