Can you catch cancer?

In the early 1980s, US doctors began to notice a strange phenomenon. A rare form of cancer, once confined to elderly Jewish men in Europe, was suddenly cropping up among young gay men. The explanation? By catching a new virus, called HIV, they were also developing cancer. Now doctors believe that other infections, even simple coughs and colds, can trigger everything from childhood leukaemia to cervical cancer. Should we be worried? Sarah Boseley investigates.

Conquering cancer

A few years ago 28-year-old Emma Kearns's chances of survival would have been bleak. But thanks to Herceptin, breast cancer sufferers could now look forward to a long life. For the first time ever, scientists are talking about a cure. Simon Garfield charts the 20-year story of the superdrug that has changed the face of modern medicine.

Fish and drips

Getting treatment at home with Herceptin has at least one unexpected side effect - being forced to brush up on etiquette, says Dina Rabinovitch in her latest update on life with breast cancer.

Sweet charity

Selling candy to raise funds for breast cancer research sounds like a good idea, but there's an unfortunate link. Dr John Briffa unwraps the evidence.

Where men lose out

Prostate cancer patients get a raw deal, but new treatments offer hope, says Dr Simon Atkins.

One year on

Last summer Dina Rabinovitch didn't really know what chemo was - she does now. Her g2 column on life with breast cancer ended in August, but in the first of a series of regular updates, she talks about life after treatment - and her new hair.

Cancer victor pledges £25,000 to aid women

Barbara Clark, the nurse with breast cancer who won her battle to get a powerful, lifesaving drug on the NHS, is set to donate £25,000 to help more than 10 other women in a similar position.