"Trial finds combination of pancreatic cancer drugs extends survival," The Guardian reports. The results of a trial that combined the use of two chemotherapy drugs has led to calls for this approach to become the new protocol for pancreatic cancer treatment. The trial showed people lived an average of 2.5 months longer if they took
"Breast cancer drugs taken by thousands of women stop working because tumours ‘outsmart’ them," is the headline in The Sun. Around 70% of breast cancer cases are what are known as oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancers. This means the cancerous cells use the hormone oestrogen as a type of "fuel" to help them reproduce and spread. After
"Browned toast and potatoes are ‘potential cancer risk’, say food scientists," BBC News reports. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched a campaign about the possible health risk of acrylamide; a chemical formed when starchy foods are subjected to a high temperature. The campaign is titled Go for Gold – a reference to the advice that when
"Youngest children in class more likely to get ADHD medication, study says," The Guardian reports. The results of an Australian study have caused concerns that, in some cases, immature behaviour may be misinterpreted as evidence of a behavioural disorder. In a brief report, researchers found nearly 2% of 6-15-year-olds in Western Australia received a prescription for
"Every man with suspected prostate cancer should have an MRI scan," The Guardian reports. That is the conclusion of a study looking at how well MRI scans compare with the current practice of biopsies; removing sections of prostate tissue for analysis. Disadvantages of prostate biopsies include the fact that they can lead to a small
"Women who lead a sedentary lifestyle have faster-ageing cells than those who exercise every day," BBC News reports. This research looked at telomeres – often likened to the caps at the end of shoelaces, they are made up of molecules that protect strands of chromosomes from "fraying". Telomeres shorten every time the genetic information in
"The great asthma myth: A third of those diagnosed don’t have the condition," reports the Mail Online. A study in Canada found about one-third of adults diagnosed with asthma in the past five years showed no signs of the condition on retesting. Asthma has become a common condition, and can cause serious illness or death
"Eating disorders…affect a small but substantial number of women in their 40s and 50s," BBC News reports. While often regarded as a "disease of the young", a new survey suggests 3.6% of middle-aged women in the UK are affected by an eating disorder. Researchers also looked at childhood, parenting and personality risk factors associated with
"Is sticking needles in babies really the best way to ease distress from colic?" the Daily Mail asks. The question was prompted by a study that looked at whether acupuncture can help with colic in babies. Colic is a common yet poorly understood condition that causes excessive and prolonged crying in babies. It’s not serious, but can
"How hot chilli could help you live longer," the Daily Mail reports. A US study found that people who reported eating red hot chilli peppers had around a 13% reduced risk of premature death compared to those who avoided them. The study looked at adults in the 1980s and 90s who reported eating any hot
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