Q: Do oral contraceptives cause breast cancer?

A: For years, experts have debated whether oral contraceptives increase the risk of breast cancer. Some studies suggest they do; others do not. In a new Boston University study, researchers have found that women who had taken birth control pills for at least one year had a 50 percent increased risk for breast cancer compared to women who took the pill for less time or who had never taken it. The study also found that the risk was greatest in younger women (under age 50), whose underlying risk for breast cancer is otherwise low. In addition, the increased risk appears to dissipate about 10 years after a woman stops taking the pill.

So, should women stop using oral contraceptives? There’s no simple answer. Every method of contraception has risks and benefits, notes study leader Lynn Rosenberg, Sc.D., professor of epidemiology at Boston University School of Public Health. For instance, while birth control pills appear to increase the risk of breast cancer, they have been shown to be protective against ovarian cancer. “Each woman will have her own risk/benefit equation,” says Rosenberg. “Women at very high risk for breast cancer -- such as those with the BRCa1 gene -- might choose to avoid oral contraceptive use.” Bottom line: Talk to your doctor about your breast cancer risk and birth control options.

Q: How can I get the benefits of a personal trainer without breaking my budget?

A: The great thing about personal trainers is that they can “help you with motivation and proper technique, and design a workout that helps you meet your goals,” says Cedric X. Bryant, Ph.D., chief science officer for the American Council on Exercise. But such personally tailored guidance comes at a price. If you’re on a tight budget, consider these lower-cost options:

Try a group exercise class Although the level of supervision is not the same as in a one-on-one personal training session, fitness classes are a good, inexpensive option offering both guidance and motivation.

Take advantage of technology If you’re an experienced exerciser, fitness DVDs, iPod programs and Wii Fit are like “distance personal training,” notes Bryant. (If you’re a beginner though, it’s best to get some pointers from a real, live trainer first before trying fit-tech.)

Hire a trainer for three sessions Whatever your goal -- weight loss, increased strength, greater endurance -- a personal trainer can teach you a variety of exercises and how to perform them safely in just three sessions. If your budget allows, consider going back to your trainer every 12 weeks or so for a “tune-up,” advises Bryant.

Share a trainer with a friend or two “Small group personal training is an emerging trend,” says Bryant. Added bonus: Working out with friends is more fun, and if the trainer and your pals are depending on you to show up, you’re more likely to stick with your exercise program.

Q: Is there a way to protect my eyes from macular degeneration?

A: Until recently, experts knew of few ways to prevent macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss among older Americans. But now a new study has found that taking vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid may lower your risk by 34 percent. While the study focused on 5,442 women at risk for heart disease, “it’s reasonable to anticipate a similar benefit for women who are not at risk for heart disease,” says study leader William G. Christen, Sc.D., of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School.

While getting B vitamins from food may have the same effect, the women in the study received relatively high doses -- 2.5 milligrams of folic acid, 50 mg of B6 and 1 mg of B12 per day -- so it would be difficult to get the same amounts from food alone, notes Christen. To protect your eyesight, ask your doctor if you should be taking a B-complex supplement. What else can you do? “The major avoidable risk factor for several eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, is cigarette smoking,” says Christen. So if you’re a smoker, make it a point to kick the habit for your eyesight’s sake.