A charity have defended an advert showing pancreatic cancer patients "wishing" they had other forms of the disease. Pancreatic Cancer Action say the disease is the UK's 5th biggest cancer killer, yet receives less than 1% of overall cancer funding. Ali Stunt, the charity's founder, claims that the advert describes "exactly" how she felt when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2007, aged 41. She told BBC Radio 5 live's Victoria Derbyshire: "I really really wished that if I was going to have any cancer at all, it would be something that would give me a better survival rate."View the original......
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New strain of 'deadly' bird flu
5 February 2014 Last updated at 00:52 By Michelle Roberts Health editor, BBC News online Experts are concerned that the virus could mutate to spread far and wide Experts are concerned about the spread of a new strain of bird flu that has already killed one woman in China. The 73-year-old from Nanchang City caught the H10N8 virus after visiting a live poultry market, although it is not known for sure if this was the source of infection.A second......
VIDEO: One family's experience of FGM
Doctors and nurses in the UK will be required to log details of the injuries suffered by victims of female genital mutilation (FGM).The practice has been illegal in Britain since 1985, but no-one has ever been prosecuted for FGM, which is widely carried out by communities originally from the Middle East, Africa or Asia.At least 66,000 girls and women in the UK are believed to be victims.Three generations of one Somali family, scarred by the practice, have spoken out.Reeta Chakrabarti reports.View the original article h......
NHS 'getting better', says Hunt
5 February 2014 Last updated at 07:51 By Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC News The health secretary says the culture of the NHS will not be transformed straight away The NHS in England has "changed for the better" in the year since the Francis Inquiry, the health secretary says.The report, published on 6 February last year, accused the NHS system of betraying the public over the Stafford Hospital scandal.The criticisms led to a series of......
Scots could 'sleepwalk into obesity'
7 February 2014 Last updated at 01:16 Professor Blair said exercise could be prescribed by doctors Scots risk "sleepwalking into obesity" if they do not take more exercise, an expert has warned.Professor Steven Blair, from the University of South Carolina, said a "greater emphasis" had to be placed on physical activity to prevent the problem reaching US proportions.He suggested exercise could be "prescribed" to patients by their doctors or other......
Birth order link to being overweight
6 February 2014 Last updated at 14:00 By Helen Briggs BBC News Siblings: Could birth order affect your weight? First-born children may be more likely than second-borns to be overweight in later life.A small study of middle-aged men living in New Zealand found children born first into their family were about one stone (7kg) heavier and had a bigger BMI than second-borns.They also had more insulin resistance, which can lead to health problems. Birth......
Bionic hand allows patient to 'feel'
5 February 2014 Last updated at 19:46 Dennis Aabo was able to feel what was in his hand via sensors connected to nerves in his upper arm Scientists have created a bionic hand which allows the amputee to feel lifelike sensations from their fingers. A Danish man received the hand, which was connected to nerves in his upper arm, following surgery in Italy. Dennis Aabo, who lost his left hand in a firework accident nearly a decade ago, said the hand......
Health experts back car smoking ban
7 February 2014 Last updated at 07:31 By Nick Triggle Health correspondent Smoking was banned in most enclosed public spaces in England in 2007 More than 700 doctors and other health experts have put their names to a letter urging MPs to back a ban in England on smoking in cars with children present.The issue is due to be voted on in Parliament on Monday.The signatories to the letter in the British Medical Journal say the move is needed "to protect......
VIDEO: Teen told he would die beating odds
A teenager who was told two months ago that he had just three days to live has astounded medical professionals.Deryn Blackwell, 14, from Watton in Norfolk, is the only person in the world to have been diagnosed with both leukaemia and another rare form of cancer.Two months ago after contracting another disease which attacked his immune system, he was told by doctors he would die before the new year.Deryn was sent to an end of life hospice where doctors and his family prepared him for the worst. But now his body is fighting back and has started to produce red blood cells. Nikki Fox reports.View......
CBT 'effective' in schizophrenia
6 February 2014 Last updated at 01:06 By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News Changing the way people think about and deal with schizophrenia could be as effective as drugs, say researchers. Cognitive behavioural therapy is an officially recommended treatment, but is available to less than 10% of patients in the UK with schizophrenia.A study published in the Lancet indicates CBT could help the many who refuse antipsychotic medication.......
Liverpool Care Pathway 'wrongly blamed'
27 January 2014 Last updated at 07:43 By Dr Claud Regnard Newcastle upon Tyne There is now debate over what should replace the Liverpool Care Pathway For 10 years the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) was used to monitor care at the end of life, but negative media reports raised concerns it had led to poor care and even deaths - and last summer a panel led by the Baroness Neuberger decided that the LCP should no longer be used. But writing in Scrubbing......
VIDEO: Smoking in cars: What are the risks?
Hundreds of doctors and health experts have signed a letter urging MPs in England to support a ban on smoking in cars carrying children. Critics say the move would be an unnecessary intrusion into people's lives, but those supporting it say second hand smoke is a major cause of ill health in youngsters. MPs are due to vote on the issue next week. Peter Mackereth is a tobacco specialist at the Christie Hospital, which is one of the largest cancer centres in Europe.View the original article h......
