Date: 5/19/26
Name of podcast: Dr. Patient
Episode title and number: 32 Last Call: Alcohol, Breast Cancer and the Advice Gap

Episode summary:

In this episode of the Dr. Paitnet Podcast, I’m going to be exploring the growing disconnect between what decades of breast cancer research shows and what women are told in the exam room when it comes to alcohol. Some women are told an occasional drink is fine. Others are told to avoid alcohol entirely. Many are never counseled on the topic at all. As both a physician and a breast cancer survivor, I found myself increasingly unsettled by how inconsistent these conversations remain despite years of established research linking alcohol to breast cancer risk.

But let me just say that this episode is not about shame, judgment or fear-based messaging. I want you to understand how research moves, or sometimes fails to move, from medical journals into the conversation that you have with your doctor.

References:

Bagnardi meta-analysis from 2015: https://www.annalsofoncology.org/article/S0923-7534%2819%2936858-9/fulltext

Article on alcohol affecting young womens' breast tissue: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19409844/

Study looking at what % of US adults know alcohol is a risk for cancer: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/fullarticle/2834641?utm_source=openevidence&utm_medium=referral#google_vignette

What % of US doctors ask patients about alcohol use: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32163383/

News article links:

Sorry, some of these will have paywalls you'll have to get through:

WaPo 2022 https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/09/19/alcohol-cancer-risk-labels/

WHO statement that no amount of alcohol is safe https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/04-01-2023-no-level-of-alcohol-consumption-is-safe-for-our-health

NYTimes 2023 Even a little alcohol can harm your health https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/13/well/mind/alcohol-health-effects.html

Podcast website: www.drpatientpodcast.com

Podcast email, become a guest: drpatientpodcast@gmail.com

Date: 4/27/26
Name of podcast: Dr. Patient
Episode title and number: 31 How to Find a Doctor

Episode summary:

This is a follow-up episode to 30 Preventing Illness in the First Place, where we discuss the importance of having a primary care provider for yourself. This episode touches on the basics of finding a doctor - who, where and how.

Resources/Links:

www.healthgrades.com

www.topnpi.com

www.boardcertified.com

Article about DOs (NYTimes article; might need to login to view)

Podcast website: www.drpatientpodcast.com

Podcast email, become a guest: drpatientpodcast@gmail.com

Date: 4/15/26
Name of podcast: Dr. Patient
Episode title and number: 30 Prevent Illness in the First Place

Episode summary:

Preventive healthcare involves trying to keep illness from occurring, and trying to catch diseases early on in their process. It has a long history of success as an overall health approach, but less and less adults in the US are utilizing it and seeing a primary care provider. This episode reviews what preventive healthcare entails and addresses some of the more common reasons why people don't seek it out.

References:

Current screening recommendations:

Cancers:

- Colorectal cancer screening (variety of methods including colonoscopy) at 45-75

- Breast cancer screening (mammogram, ultrasound most common) at 40-74

- Cervical cancer screening (PAP smear) at 21-65

- Lung cancer screening (low dose CT scan) at 50-80 IF you have a 20 pack-year smoking history, or if you quit within the last 15 years

Heart and metabolic conditions:

- Hypertension/high blood pressure screening

- every 2 years if blood pressure is < 120/80

- every year if blood pressure is 120-139/80-89

- annually over 40 years old regardless of blood pressure

- Diabetes type 2 screening (blood test)

- at 35-70 if overweight/obese (BMI >25)

- every 3 years if normal BMI

- High cholesterol screening (blood test) - lots of caveats on this one

- generally, a lipid panel at 40-75

- some sources say every 4-6 years starting at 20

- American Heart Associaion says waist circumference and BMI and lipid panel every 3 years for adults 40-75 with one risk factor

Infectious Diseases

- Hepatitis C (blood test) once between 18-79

- HIV (blood test) once 15-65 or for anyone pregnant, then regularly only if high risk

Bone health

- Osteoporosis screening (bone scan) all women over 65, all post menopausal women even if less than 65 years old if increased risk

Other

- Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening (ultrasound) for men 65-75 who have ever smoked

- Depression screening (questionnaire) for everyone over 19 including pregnant/postpartum

- Beyond these, your healthcare provider might also/should ask you questions about safety at home, seat belt use, your diet and exercise

Links:

USPSTF/US Preventive Services Task Force: https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/

ACIP/Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices: https://www.cdc.gov/acip/index.html

American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease/heart-health-screenings

American Diabetes Association: https://diabetes.org/newsroom/latest-ada-annual-standards-of-care-includes-changes-to-diabetes-screening-first-line-therapy-pregnancy-technology

American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/screening/american-cancer-society-guidelines-for-the-early-detection-of-cancer.html

Podcast website: www.drpatientpodcast.com

Podcast email, become a guest: drpatientpodcast@gmail.com