Illnesses & Conditions News Headlines - Yahoo! News UK

WHO target to cut early chronic illness deaths

Fri, 25 May 2012 18:18:48 +0100

The World Health Organization announced on Friday it was set to approve a new target to reduce premature deaths from chronic illnesses such as heart disease by a quarter by 2025.

Second possible rabies case probed

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:28:08 +0100

A second possible British case of rabies is being investigated, disease control experts said.

Liver disease 'timebomb' warning

Fri, 25 May 2012 09:42:22 +0100

A national screening programme is needed to tackle the "ticking timebomb" of liver disease caused by alcohol, obesity and hepatitis, according to a top doctor.

Study shows cancer cells' appetite

Thu, 24 May 2012 19:05:54 +0100

Aggressive cancer cells have a big appetite for a nutrient found in protein-rich food, research has shown.

Schizophrenia drug may fight cancer

Thu, 24 May 2012 17:06:14 +0100

A drug used to treat schizophrenia may provide an effective weapon against treatment-resistant cancers, research suggests.

Griffiths rejects cancer drugs fund

Thu, 24 May 2012 17:06:14 +0100

Welsh Health Minister Lesley Griffiths has told a group of top medics she is standing firm on the issue of a cancer drugs fund for Wales - saying the scheme would not work.

Venezuelans in the dark over Chavez's health

Thu, 24 May 2012 16:40:33 +0100

CARACAS (Reuters) - Mystery, rumour and conspiracy theories surround Hugo Chavez's health almost a year after his cancer diagnosis, with many Venezuelans contemplating a future without their larger-than-life president. Chavez, a burly former soldier who has dominated the OPEC country for 13 years, says he is on the road to recovery and will seek re-election in October. About two-thirds of voters believe he will get better and he leads most opinion polls. ...

Most Fukushima radiation doses within norms - WHO

Wed, 23 May 2012 12:27:08 +0100

GENEVA (Reuters) - Spikes in radiation caused by the Fukushima nuclear accident were below cancer-causing levels in almost all of Japan and neighbouring countries had levels similar to normal background radiation, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday. In a preliminary report using conservative assumptions, independent experts said that people in only two locations in Fukushima prefecture may have received a dose of 10-50 millisieverts (mSv) in the year after the accident at the power station operated by TEPCO. ...

Lab uses skin cells to help repair heart muscle

Wed, 23 May 2012 08:39:24 +0100

Lab scientists on Wednesday reported that for the first time they had taken skin cells from patients who had suffered heart failure and turned them into cells that could repair damaged cardiac muscle.

Report reveals diabetes 'lottery'

Wed, 23 May 2012 00:10:59 +0100

Treatment for diabetic patients is a postcode lottery with a massive variation in quality of care from one region to another, a report has revealed.

Parkinson's study finds 'switch'

Wed, 23 May 2012 00:10:59 +0100

A molecular "switch" that could explain how certain genes protect the brain from Parkinson's disease has been discovered by scientists.

Pomegranate juice claims deceptive, US rules

Tue, 22 May 2012 09:10:31 +0100

Pomegranate juice has not been proven to be an effective treatment for cancer, heart disease or erectile dysfunction, US regulators said Monday, calling a company's ad claims deceptive.

World's smallest artificial heart implanted in Italian baby

Mon, 21 May 2012 18:41:31 +0100

Italian doctors in March implanted the smallest ever artificial heart into a 16-month-old baby before the infant received a permanent organ donation, said the hospital that performed the operation.

BTG swings to profit after strong antidote sales

Mon, 21 May 2012 07:49:08 +0100

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's BTG swung to a pretax profit for the year to end-March, helped by its move to direct sales of its specialist anti-poison drugs, and said it had acquired the European named-patients supply rights for another antidote, uridine triacetate. The speciality pharma company, which already has the U.S. supply rights for the medicine to treat toxicity of cancer drug 5-FU, said it retained the option to acquire the European commercial rights from Wellstat upon approval. ...

Disturbed sleep linked to cancer

Sun, 20 May 2012 13:39:24 +0100

People who snore and suffer from disturbed sleep may have a heightened risk of dying from cancer, a study has shown.

Celebrities mark AIDS fight with Austria's Life Ball

Sat, 19 May 2012 15:14:49 +0100

VIENNA (Reuters) - Vienna geared up on Saturday for the Life Ball, Europe's biggest charity event to support victims of HIV/AIDS that sees celebrities throng to the Austrian capital each year to highlight the fight against the immune system disease. The Life Ball, celebrated at Vienna's gothic city hall, is marking its 20th anniversary this year under the motto "Fight the Flames of Ignorance". The often shrill affair of live entertainment, fine food and fashion shows is organised by the non-profit Aids Life group and made a profit of 2 million euros ($2. ...

Venezuela's Chavez says working less, getting better

Sat, 19 May 2012 02:07:17 +0100

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez ended a week-long silence on Friday to say he was resting, following a diet and trying to tame his workaholic ways as he recovers from cancer treatment. The usually garrulous and attention-seeking Chavez's disappearances from public view have become longer and more frequent this year. That has fuelled speculation his condition has worsened and may complicate a re-election bid in October. Allies in the ruling Socialist Party say the 57-year-old leader remains on top of government affairs and is not mulling a succession. ...

Venezuela's Chavez unseen for week but follows riot

Fri, 18 May 2012 18:13:35 +0100

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has not been seen or heard in public since returning a week ago from his latest cancer treatment in Cuba but was well enough to monitor a jail riot in Caracas, an ally said on Friday. The usually garrulous and attention-seeking Chavez's disappearances from public view have become longer and more frequent this year. That has fuelled speculation his condition has worsened and may complicate a re-election bid in October. ...

Mutations 'storm' may drive cancer

Thu, 17 May 2012 17:01:41 +0100

A sudden "storm" of genetic mutations may be one of the major driving forces behind breast cancer, new research has shown.

Statins 'could benefit the healthy'

Thu, 17 May 2012 00:08:58 +0100

Cholesterol-lowering drugs can benefit even apparently healthy people with no previous history of heart disease, a study has found.

Third 'not using cholesterol drugs'

Thu, 17 May 2012 00:08:58 +0100

More than a third of people prescribed drugs for high cholesterol are putting themselves at a dramatically increased risk of heart problems by failing to take their medication for the condition, a health charity has warned.

'No excuse' for diabetes errors

Thu, 17 May 2012 00:04:57 +0100

Almost a third of diabetic hospital patients are victims of medication errors that can cause dangerous blood glucose levels, a report has found.

Genetic breast cancer 'map' drawn

Wed, 16 May 2012 18:03:56 +0100

A genetic "map" of breast cancer has been drawn, revealing the varied landscape of the disease in more detail than ever before.

Nice approves prostate cancer drug

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:03:06 +0100

A drug to treat advanced prostate cancer should be given to patients on the NHS, a health watchdog has said.

'Fat tax' call over unhealthy foods

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:03:06 +0100

Britain would need to put a 20% "fat tax" on unhealthy food and drink to improve the numbers of people suffering diet-related conditions such as obesity and heart disease, medical experts have warned.

Child epilepsy ops 'set to treble'

Tue, 15 May 2012 17:04:52 +0100

The number of children receiving brain surgery for epilepsy is set to almost treble under plans for a major expansion of services across England.

French drug maker on trial over weight-loss pill

Mon, 14 May 2012 16:13:47 +0100

NANTERRE, France (Reuters) - French drug maker Servier and its founder went on trial on Monday accused of misleading patients and authorities about a diabetes drug often prescribed for weight loss that officials blame for at least 500 deaths. The case, one of France's worst health scandals, has put authorities under scrutiny for allowing the sale of Mediator long after the medicine had been pulled in other European countries. Although licensed as a diabetes treatment, the drug was widely prescribed, with a state subsidy, as an appetite suppressant to help people lose weight. ...

Minister sets out alcohol cost plan

Mon, 14 May 2012 13:29:44 +0100

Alcohol should be sold at a minimum price of 50p per unit to help tackle drink-related illness, the Scottish Government has said.

Flower may fulfil Jennifer's wish

Mon, 14 May 2012 00:12:44 +0100

A 19-year-old woman who lost her battle with cancer is having her dying wish fulfilled - that funds be raised to ensure other young sufferers are treated in cancer units for teenagers - with the help of her favourite flower.

Venezuela's Chavez says Cuba treatment successful

Sat, 12 May 2012 03:57:57 +0100

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez said on Friday he had successfully completed a series of cancer radiotherapy sessions in Cuba and was hopeful they would have a positive effect on his condition. Chavez, who wants to run for re-election in October, addressed the nation after flying back from Havana. He walked with relative ease from the plane, and spoke in a firm voice, contradicting some rumours that he was too sick to be seen in public. "I can tell you that in the last few days we successfully completed the radiation cycle, as planned by the medical team," he said. ...

Anger over cancer drug decision

Fri, 11 May 2012 00:08:19 +0100

A life-extending drug hailed as a breakthrough for prostate cancer sufferers is too expensive to be used on the NHS, watchdogs have ruled.

UK cost watchdog backs Roche lung drug

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:04:10 +0100

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's health cost watchdog said on Thursday that Roche's Tarceva cancer pill should be funded by the state as a first-line treatment for patients with lung cancer, after saying in February it needed more information before endorsing it. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), which decides if medicines should be paid for on the state-funded National Health Service (NHS), said Tarceva was an effective option for some patients whose tumours have a particular mutation. ...

Germany's Bayer considers diabetes device unit sale -report

Wed, 09 May 2012 06:04:19 +0100

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Germany's largest drugmaker Bayer is considering the sale of its blood glucose meters business, a German newspaper reported. Bayer has held talks with prospective buyers of its Diabetes Care unit, which has annual sales of about 1 billion euros (805.7 million pounds), Financial Times Deutschland said in its Wednesday edition, citing sources close to the possible suitors and in the financial industry. The paper said that Bayer declined to comment. (Reporting by Ludwig Burger; Editing by Ed Lane)

Ultramarathon runner Micah True died from heart disease - autopsy

Wed, 09 May 2012 01:16:01 +0100

SANTA FE, New Mexico (Reuters) - Ultramarathon runner Micah True died from heart disease while on a run last March in the rugged wilderness of south-western New Mexico, an autopsy report revealed Tuesday.

Cardiac rehabilitation appeal made

Tue, 08 May 2012 16:59:37 +0100

More heart patients should benefit from cardiac rehabilitation, health campaigners have said.

Psivida, Alimera eye drug gets UK marketing nod

Mon, 07 May 2012 14:54:40 +0100

(Reuters) - pSivida Corp said UK health regulators approved its drug to treat retinal swelling in diabetic patients, weeks after it received approval in Austria. The company's marketing partner Alimera Sciences had said in February that seven European countries, including the UK, found Iluvien to be "approvable," reviving hopes for the treatment that was rejected twice by U.S. health regulators. Alimera expects the drug to be available in the European Union by 2012-end. ...

Eye treatment 'could save NHS £84m'

Mon, 07 May 2012 12:08:11 +0100

The NHS could save more than £84 million a year if it switched treatment for a common eye condition to a cheaper drug used to treat cancer, study authors have claimed.

Blood test clue to prostate cancer

Mon, 07 May 2012 05:05:13 +0100

A blood test for missing or duplicated DNA could provide a way of predicting relapsing prostate cancer, research has shown.

Campaigners focus on lung cancer

Mon, 07 May 2012 03:58:20 +0100

Just one in 10 people realise that a persistent cough could be a key symptom of lung cancer, according to statistics released by the Government as it launches a campaign to raise awareness about the disease.

Curry ingredient in cancer research

Mon, 07 May 2012 00:02:08 +0100

A UK trial is investigating whether a curry ingredient can improve the treatment of patients with advanced bowel cancer.