“What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps one in a continual state of inelegance,” cried Jane Austen. Inelegance is the least of some people’s worries when it comes to the hot weather. For some health conditions, a heatwave can be distressing, and even dangerous. Seven health conditions that are harder to cope with in […]
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Scientists have unveiled clues about a mysterious molecule called Yin Yang1 – and revealed it may fuel tumour growth in breast cancer. The findings, by a group of international scientists led by Imperial College London, may open avenues for new treatments, and help understand why some tumours become resistant to chemotherapy. Crucially, the findings also […]
Professor Paul Cosford, medical director of Public Health England, continues his occasional series on his experience as a patient with cancer and describes his first meeting with his palliative care team. It is almost a year since I was told I have incurable lung cancer. Bad news, as a non-smoking 55 year old, but in […]
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Scientists have made a major discovery about how cells repair broken strands of DNA that could have huge implications for the treatment of cancer. Their study, published in Nature, uncovered a brand new protein complex in cells that shields broken DNA ends and controls the way in which it is repaired. The new complex pushes […]
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An allergy antibody known as Immunoglobulin E, or IgE, may protect the skin against cancer, according to new study led by scientists at Imperial College, London. IgE is a component of the immune system that triggers allergic reactions. The research highlights previously unknown skin defences – and could open avenues for developing new skin cancer […]
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With summer in full swing, many of us will slap on some sunscreen to protect our skin from harmful UV rays. But what about the areas which are commonly missed? And does it matter if you don’t get to the back of your ears? Here are some tops from Dr Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist and […]
Using high energy ultrasound beams to destroy prostate cancer tumours may be as effective as surgery or radiotherapy, but with fewer side effects. A new study, carried out at six hospitals across the UK, tracked 625 men with prostate cancer who received a type of treatment called high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). The research, published in the […]
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Patients who are involved in the planning and delivery of their care for multiple conditions say that they are more satisfied, but it doesn’t seem to make any difference to their quality of life. In the largest ever trial of an intervention to treat people with multiple long-term conditions (multimorbidity) in primary care, researchers at […]
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Gut bacteria markers could be a ‘smoking gun’ for liver disease, according to new research. The findings, published in the journal Nature Medicine, hint at the potential for chemical by-products produced by the microbes living inside us to be used as early warning signs of disease, which could be detected using a simple blood test. An […]
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Pulmonary rehabilitation is very effective at helping people with lung disease improve their quality of life. Multiple studies show that regular tailored exercise over a 6-8 week period can reduce breathlessness and increase lung capacity, as well as boosting confidence and feelings of wellbeing. It depends on the level of fitness of each individual patient, […]