For the past 14 years I’ve combined science with art to engage people of all ages with the beauty and wonder behind medical research, and the hope it brings. Out of all my public engagement work the most striking and captivating reaction comes from working with adults in oncology wards in University College London Hospital. […]
Vital signs have long been used by doctors to decide if we are fit and well, or if our bodies are struggling with underlying ill health. A weak pulse, a high temperature or low blood oxygen can point to underlying medical problem like infection, heart disease, asthma and kidney problems. Increasingly, however, a booming industry […]
The number of cancer deaths related to radon gas is very small but for people living in radon hotspots it can be a real concern. A report in the British Medical Journal claimed that at least 1,100 people die each year from lung cancer linked to indoor radon – a natural radioactive gas that can seep […]
Scans are used in pregnancy to determine the growth and health of the foetus. Ultrasound measurements have been commonly used to detect fetal macrosomia, when a baby in the womb is significantly larger than average. It can be hard to accurately tell a baby’s weight from the size of a mother’s tummy during pregnancy. Women […]
The PSA test has long been considered the first line of defence against prostate cancer. A simple blood test, it measures the level of PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) in the blood. All men have some PSA in their blood, which is made by the prostate gland. High levels can indicate prostate cancer. This week, the […]
When does the flu season start and why should people have the jab done now? How long does it take to ‘work’? The Flu season tends to begin as the months get colder. The vaccine can take between 10 to 14 days to become effective so the sooner eligible individuals receive their jab once vaccine […]
A study led by myself and my colleague Dr Sandrine Willaime-Morawek, lecturer in Stem Cells and Brain Repair at the University and published in Molecular Neurobiology, analysed how enzymes called ADAMs affect the movement and function of the human tumour cells which cause brain cancer. We discovered a potential way of stopping one of the most […]
The outrageous acts of terrorism that happened in New York on 9/11 have certainly meant that more people who are affected by fear of flying cite terrorism as one of their worries. Images of the two jetliners crashing into the Twin Towers have been seen by billions of people world-wide and are still widely disseminated […]
Britons love their curries, and figures show we now choose spicy food from the Indian subcontinent over Italian, Chinese and even fish ‘n’ chips. But can the UK’s favourite dish possibly be healthy? Well yes. If you can forgo some of the high fat creamy sauces and deep fried naan bread. Curries are packed with […]
Men who have suspected prostate cancer are usually offered a biopsy alongside a scan to confirm the diagnosis. Those who fit the protocol for ‘active surveillance,’ who have low grade localised prostate cancer, should be offered a prostate rebiopsy at 12 months, according to NICE guidelines. These patients may undergo further biopsies if there are further changes or clinical concerns. […]