Nothing to worry about!

Prostate Cancer? bubonic plague? scurvy? We've all feared the worst - only to be told we're in the rudest of health. In this extract from his touching and funny book, chronic hypochondriac John O'Connell reveals what it's like to live without a serious illness.

Breast cancer patient wins fight for new drug

· NHS trust agrees to fund expensive treatment· Victory sets precedent for thousands of women

Genetic test revolution aids fight to end cancer

Doctors call for widespread screening to bring an end to hereditary diseases, write Anushka Asthana and Robin McKie.

Study finds light smokers risk death and disease

Smoking only a few cigarettes a day almost triples the risk of heart disease and lung cancer, researchers said today.

Basking for it

The link between over-exposure to the sun and skin cancer seems blindingly obvious. But, says Dr John Briffa, sunbathing may also cut the risk of cancer.

Now for the good news

The most popular treatment for breast cancer is about to be usurped by a more effective remedy. So just what options are available, and how do they compare? Oli Usher finds out

Breast cancer drug outshines tamoxifen

Tamoxifen's status as the gold-standard treatment for early breast cancer looked numbered last night as researchers announced promising results for a successor that is more effective but eight times as expensive.

Cancer-linked genes identified

Scientists are homing in on four new genes they believe are linked to breast cancer. Tumours with multiple copies of the genes seem to be more aggressive, according to researchers who also report that the group is not found in … Continue reading →

Childish things

Not all women go through an early menopause as a result of breast-cancer treatment, and many do go on to have a baby afterwards entirely naturally.