Health Watch

Monday, May 28, 2007

New breast cancer genes identified
Polly Curtis Health correspondent
The Guardian
28 May 2007

The most significant advance in the understanding of breast cancer for a decade was announced last night with the identification of a new group of common genetic markers for the disease. Scientists have discovered four genes which, if faulty, can... read more...

Friday, May 25, 2007


Government knew of HIV risk from imported blood
Sarah Hall
The Guardian
25 May 2007

The government’s advisers on medicine knew that patients were at risk of contracting Aids from imported blood products as early as 1983, but ruled against a ban because of fears it would cause a shortage of supply. Minutes obtained by the Guardian of... read more...

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Go easy on the vitamins

The Guardian
22 May 2007

They are exculpation, insurance and saintliness in handy pill form. They supposedly guard against anything from wrinkles to cancer. But are dietary supplements — from the humble multi-vitamin to the mega-dose antioxidant — really as benign as they... read more...

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Cancer survival rates have doubled, say experts
Sarah Boseley Health editor
The Guardian
16 May 2007

Cancer survival rates have doubled over the last 30 years, according to figures published yesterday which show that a cancer patient now has an average 46.2% chance of living for 10 years after diagnosis. The bald figure hides a multitude of variables... read more...

Monday, May 14, 2007

Is the ban a good idea?
BY CHRISTOPER HITCHENS
The Guardian
14 May 2007

NO If I had wanted an encapsulating anecdote for my argument, it would have been provided by our glorious secretary of state for health, Patricia Hewitt, who commented on recent events in Iran: “It was deplorable that the woman hostage should be shown... read more...



Charlie Brooker - Smoking...

The Guardian
14 May 2007

Smoking is the stupidest thing you can do to your own body, short of hurling it off a ferry. It turns your fingers yellow, your teeth brown, and your lungs black. Lungs. Lungs. While I was smoking I often pictured my lungs, just to torture myself; in... read more...

Thursday, May 10, 2007



No safe cigarette, Imperial CEO says
MIKE KING THE GAZETTE
The Gazette
08 May 2007

The country’s largest manufacturer of tobacco products insists it’s a socially responsible corporation even though it’s chief executive officer twice told a Canadian Club of Montreal luncheon yesterday that a safe cigarette doesn’t exist. “As a... read more...