Listen in as Dr. Mike provides the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions. Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans. Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know:I just saw a report on Fox News that says artificial sweeteners can treat cancer. Now, I am confused!Dr. Mike is extremely upset at these claims and doesn't want you to be confused. In the video, they specifically address Saccharin, which is a common artificial sweeteners on the market. There are two different things to consider when people talk about cancer, carcinogens (what causes cancer) and how you treat cancer, or what makes it worse.So, no, saccharin shouldn't be used as a treatment and can't cure cancer; it's a carcinogen and can do more harm. In fact, it's been established way back in the 1980s that this sweetener can cause DNA mutation, which is exactly what cancer is.What this doctor is claiming in the article is that saccharin is able to block an enzyme called carbonic anhydrides. When this is blocked, cancer cells can't aggregate as well. Therefore, saccharin is an inhibitor of cancer cell aggregation, which could possibly decrease the ability of cancer cells to spread.When is it not okay to take a generic drug?There are two types of generic drugs, type A and type B. Type A generic drug is okay to be taken because it's made up of the same compounds that are used in the brand name drug. However, type B generic drugs might alter certain dosages because it's cheaper to make. Dr. Mike suggests sticking with type A generic drugs.If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.