Behind the Headlines

Breast cancer rates in under-50s at record high

Friday May 3 2013

Much of the UK media are covering the release of alarming data compiled by Cancer Research UK that indicates breast cancer rates in the under 50s are now at a record high. Changes in childbirth patterns and alcohol consumption could be to blame…

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Smoking increases risk of bowel cancer in women

Wednesday May 1 2013

BBC News has revealed that, "Women who smoke have a higher risk of cancer than men," reporting the results of a new study examining the relationship between gender and bowel cancer caused by smoking. The large-scale study found that smoking…

Breast implants may make cancer harder to spot

Wednesday May 1 2013

“Breast implants may harm breast cancer survival chances,” The Guardian warns, along with other media sources reporting on the same subject. It is important to stress that the research the media has reported does not suggest...

Hormone drugs can cut breast cancer

Tuesday Apr 30 2013

“Hormone treatments can cut breast cancer rates in at-risk women by 38%,” reports the Daily Mirror. The news, covered by much of the media, is based on...

Even 'light' smoking may raise women's arthritis risk

Tuesday Apr 23 2013

"Smoking just a few cigarettes a day more than doubles a woman's risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis," the Mail Online website reveals. The website reports on a Swedish study that found women who smoke…

Prostate cancer screening for older men 'unlikely'

Wednesday Apr 17 2013

There is wide coverage of new research that argues that routine screening could reduce deaths from prostate cancer, with BBC News, The Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail all reporting the story. This controversial study is likely to reignite…

Alcohol has no effect on breast cancer survival

Tuesday Apr 9 2013

'A glass of wine a day will not affect a woman's chance of beating breast cancer' the Mail Online website reports. A new study suggests that while alcohol increases the chances of developing breast cancer it does not affect the chance of dying from it…

Bowel cancer up 30% for men in 35 years

Tuesday Apr 2 2013

A rise in bowel cancer among men has been reported across the UK media. The news is based on figures released by Cancer Research UK, coinciding with the start of bowel cancer awareness month...

Could new gene markers herald better cancer tests?

Thursday Mar 28 2013

Most of the UK media have reported on what has been described as landmark research into the genetics of breast, ovarian and prostate cancer. Many commentators state that this will lead to cheap and reliable screening tests…

Women who stop taking breast cancer drugs risk early death

Friday Mar 22 2013

“Breast cancer survivors who cut short preventative treatment ‘risk early death’,” The Guardian reports, saying that women who have only three years of preventative treatment rather than five are more likely to die earlier…