Convalescent homes – do you remember them? I was reading an article about a woman who was having radiotherapy for ovarian cancer and she mourned the passing of those havens of tranquillity and healing. And they were havens: comfortable, friendly … Read More
Arguments for legalising marijuana are growing – not least a drop in violent crime
Legalising marijuana is a policy I have supported for 40 years – ever since a friend of mine with multiple sclerosis had to risk buying the drug from a dealer to get relief for her painful muscle spasms. And the … Read More
Long road to breast cancer wonder drug that now means two thirds of patients survive
Many people benefit from new drug treatments for cancer but few are aware of the long, expensive and often frustrating journey from discovery to dosing. That journey starts in the head of a scientist and travels through lab experiments, animal studies, tests … Read More
Teenagers are self-medicating with ‘zombie drug’ Xanax to control mental health problems
Now here’s some unexpected and dangerous fallout from teens’ usage of social media. Anxiety-prone young people who don’t have the time to consult a professional about pressure, stress, worry and paranoia are bypassing doctors and carers. Instead they’re looking to … Read More
DIY cancer testing kit could save thousands of lives – make sure you do yours
If there was a test for cancer you could do yourself would you do it? Of course you would. And I do. Every second year. It’s so easy and simple and it saves lives. Yet bowel screening has the lowest uptake of … Read More
Dieting alone is not enough to make you healthy, it’s about lifestyle
Recently, I wrote about how changing your lifestyle and eating a Mediterranean diet could cut your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes – even though you didn’t lose any weight. It struck me that, with all the encouragement to shed the … Read More
Why men are less likely to get asthma than women – and Mother Nature’s to blame
Well now, here’s an example of gender bias entirely configured by Mother Nature – women are more likely than men to get asthma because we lack the protection of the male hormone testosterone. We also have more of a particular immune cell which … Read More
DNA that causes cancer could one day be SNIPPED out of people’s bodies – thanks to amazing new breakthrough
I’m proud to be the bringer of glad tidings on behalf of Cancer Research UK and spread the word about the latest advances in prevention as part of their Good News Campaign. Over the next three Mondays I’ll be bringing you up … Read More
Scientists discover artificial sweeteners may up your risk of Type 2 diabetes
Even if we tried it would be almost impossible to avoid artificial sweeteners. They’re in everything – diet drinks, breakfast cereals, ready meals, soups, even ketchup. Oh well, you say, it’s better than eating all that sugar. Well maybe, maybe … Read More
Liver disease is set to be new biggest killer as Brits drink to excess
With more than 10 million adults regularly drinking more than 14 units a week – the safe limit – liver disease will probably start to overtake heart disease as the leading cause of early death in the UK within two years. Experts … Read More