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......
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......
Three-fold increase in insulin use
6 February 2014 Last updated at 13:29 More people with type 2 diabetes are being treated with insulin The number of people using insulin to treat diabetes trebled between 1991 and 2010, researchers from Cardiff and Bristol universities have found.They say the increase is due to a large rise in the number of people with type 2 diabetes using the drug.But the figures are a "wake-up call" on how the condition is treated, their study says. Continue......
World facing cancer 'tidal wave'
4 February 2014 Last updated at 06:33 By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News Large numbers of people do not know there is a lot they can do to reduce their exposure to risk The globe is facing a "tidal wave" of cancer, and restrictions on alcohol and sugar need to be considered, say World Health Organization scientists.It predicts the number of cancer cases will reach 24 million a year by 2035, but half could be prevented.The......
Hospitals to log victims of FGM
6 February 2014 Last updated at 11:22 Three generations of one Somali family speak out about the practice of FGMDoctors and nurses in the UK are to be told to log details of the injuries suffered by victims of female genital mutilation (FGM).The move is designed to gather more information on the practice, which was outlawed in the UK in 1985.The children's charity, NSPCC, which set up a FGM helpline seven months ago, says it has already received 153 calls.At least 66,000 girls and women in the UK are believed to be victims of FGM.On Thursday, the United Nations is marking a Day of Zero Tolerance......
'No leukaemia risk' from power lines
7 February 2014 Last updated at 01:03 By Caroline Parkinson Health editor, BBC News website Children who live near overhead power lines do not have an increased risk of developing leukaemia, a study has said.Data on 16,500 children who developed leukaemia in Britain between 1962 and 2008 was analysed.The paper found no increased leukaemia risk for those living near power lines from the 1980s onwards - but a higher risk did exist in the 1960s and......
Women 'fare worse after strokes'
8 February 2014 Last updated at 00:00 Women over 75 were particularly affected Women have a poorer quality of life after a stroke than men, a study has found.The US research, published in Neurology, assessed the mental and physical health of 1,370 patients three months and a year after a stroke.Women had more depression and anxiety, pain and discomfort, and more restricted mobility.UK experts said women tended to have strokes later, and might therefore......
Speedy cyclists are better looking
5 February 2014 Last updated at 01:48 By Matt McGrath Environment correspondent, BBC News Bradley Wiggins won the Tour in 2012 but wasn't included in the survey on attractiveness Successful professional cyclists are seen as more handsome than their struggling colleagues, according to new research.Women rated facial attractiveness among riders in the 2012 Tour de France, won by Britain's Sir Bradley Wiggins.The top 10% of performers were rated......
Cancer 'envy' campaign criticised
6 February 2014 Last updated at 12:44 A campaign to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer has been criticised for suggesting patients wish they had other forms of the disease.The "envy" campaign by Pancreatic Cancer Action shows patients saying they would rather have breast, cervical or testicular cancer.The charity said it was making the point other cancers have much better survival rates.But breast cancer charities condemned pitting "one cancer......
Cash worries 'could harm NHS care'
6 February 2014 Last updated at 00:43 By Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC News The Nuffield Trust is concerned money worries could undermine efforts to improve care Financial pressures could get in the way of the drive to improve care following the Stafford Hospital scandal, experts say. Figures released last week showed nearly one in three NHS trusts is forecasting a deficit this year.Now a review by the Nuffield Trust - published a year......
Measles global deaths decline by 78%
6 February 2014 Last updated at 18:34 Vaccinating children has helped to reduce deaths from measles worldwide Global deaths from measles dropped 78% between 2000 and 2012, the World Health Organization estimates.New figures from the WHO suggest that around 13.8 million deaths were prevented during this time and reported cases declined by 77%.Good routine immunisation levels and campaigns to vaccinate children are thought to be behind the figures.But......
Temporary blindness 'boosts hearing'
6 February 2014 Last updated at 07:24 By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News Fictional superhero Daredevil gained heightened senses after going blind Temporary blindness heightens hearing and has potential as a therapy for some deaf people, animal research suggests.A study, published in the journal Neuron, showed keeping mice in the dark for a week changed their brains and enhanced hearing.The effect lasted for several weeks after......
World facing cancer 'tidal wave'
4 February 2014 Last updated at 06:33 By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News Large numbers of people do not know there is a lot they can do to reduce their exposure to risk The globe is facing a "tidal wave" of cancer, and restrictions on alcohol and sugar need to be considered, say World Health Organization scientists.It predicts the number of cancer cases will reach 24 million a year by 2035, but half could be prevented.The......
Hospitals to log victims of FGM
5 February 2014 Last updated at 22:05 Three generations of one Somali family speak out about the practice of FGMDoctors and nurses in the UK are to be told to log details of the injuries suffered by victims of female genital mutilation (FGM).The move is designed to gather more information on the practice, which was outlawed in the UK in 1985, and to help women at risk.It comes ahead of the United Nations' Day of Zero Tolerance to FGM on Thursday.At least 66,000 girls and women in the UK are believed to be victims.The Department of Health says from April, all NHS hospitals will be able to record......
Temporary blindness 'boosts hearing'
6 February 2014 Last updated at 07:24 By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News Fictional superhero Daredevil gained heightened senses after going blind Temporary blindness heightens hearing and has potential as a therapy for some deaf people, animal research suggests.A study, published in the journal Neuron, showed keeping mice in the dark for a week changed their brains and enhanced hearing.The effect lasted for several weeks after......
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.......
Data reveals England's fattest areas
4 February 2014 Last updated at 18:06 Experts predict more than 50% of the UK population will be obese by 2050 Copeland in West Cumbria is the fattest local authority area in England, according to new government figures. The borough has 75.9% of its population classed as overweight or obese, the Public Health England data show.Overall, 63.8% of adults in England have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or over - a figure of between 18.5 and 24.9 is deemed......
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......
Plastic surgery 'booming' in the UK
3 February 2014 Last updated at 01:10 By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News Breast enhancement was the most popular procedure There has been a dramatic increase in the popularity of plastic surgery in the UK, according to figures from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (Baaps). The number of nose jobs, face lifts and breast implant operations all soared by more than 10% last year.The biggest boom was in the......
