Early baldness may be a risk factor for prostate cancer
New research suggests that male pattern baldness may be a risk factor for prostate cancer.
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Read More » Early baldness may be a risk factor for prostate cancer
25% reduction in preventable diseases by 2025
The World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the World Health Organisation (WHO), has approved a resolution calling for a 25% reduction in premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 2025.
Cancer docs suffer grief, doubt when patients die
A recent study revealed that some cancer doctors experience grief, self-doubt and despair when patients die, while others build up emotional walls and distance themselves from patients they can't save.
Gene variation may give some smokers advantage over others
Smokers lucky enough to have inherited a 'super-detox gene' could answer the age-old question of why some will develop smoking-related illnesses within the first five years of lighting up while others happily puff away for 50 years before dying of old age.
Many docs unfamiliar with chemo-risks
A survey of more than 1000 primary-care doctors in the United States suggests the vast majority have little knowledge about the long-term side effects of chemotherapy.
Blood test may improve diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer
Scientists have discovered that a simple blood test could lead to better diagnosis and treatment for early-stage breast cancer patients, according to an article published online first in The Lancet Oncology.
TAC “Comrades” tackle the race of a lifetime
Runners for Health, a group of runners from the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), will be participating in this year's Comrades Marathon. The annual 89 km race, running between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, will take place on Sunday. Read here why they describe it as their biggest challenge yet.
Tenofovir shortages endanger lives Living with AIDS # 518
Insufficient production of Tenofovir, a crucial antiretroviral drug that is part of the three-drug combination therapy that AIDS patients need to suppress their virus, has left patients in the public sector taking sub-optimal treatment.
Tenofovir shortages continue
The continued stock out of the antiretroviral tenofovir and the failure to advise health workers on how to deal with it is a looming disaster, HIV Clinicians and activists are warning.
Eastern Cape: SECTION27 urges national government to intervene
SECTION27 released a statement detailing the financial crisis in the Eastern Cape health department which is threatening to collapse. It calls on the national health department to urgently intervene, reminding it that it has a duty to do so.
Big tobacco tactics under the spotlight on World No Tobacco Day
Today (Thursday 31 May) is World No Tobacco Day, a World Health Organisation (WHO) initiative aimed at highlighting issues around the use of tobacco products. This year, the WHO has selected "tobacco industry interference" as the theme for the day in an effort to expose and counter the tobacco industry's 'brazen and increasingly aggressive attempts' to undermine anti-tobacco efforts.
Preventing (not just lamenting) sexual abuse of school girls
There is something upsetting about the way politicians trouped to the scene and family of the young woman whose gang rape shocked our country so profoundly several weeks ago. The hyperbole, crocodile tears and feet stamping felt more like politicians who feel duty bound to be seen to respond to a tragedy than genuine grief. It is hard to feel sympathy with their sympathy because in the management of their political portfolios many councillors, MPs and Ministers overlook the circumstances that place young girls at daily risk.
South Africa scores poorly on ‘Saving Mothers’
Almost 5 000 women died while pregnant or within 42 days of giving birth in South Africa between 2008 and 2010, more than in any of the previous years.
Learner approaches DOE for help on HIV discrimination allegations
A Grade Seven learner and her mother have laid a complaint with the Gauteng Department of Education after claims of discrimination of the learner by fellow learners and teachers at a Pretoria school. They are accusing them of discrimination because the girl's mother is living openly with HIV.
DoH happy with AIDS progress Living with AIDS # 517
The national Health Department is upbeat that the country is making significant progress in dealing with the AIDS epidemic. It says it has reached over 80% of South Africans eligible for antiretroviral treatment in the last five years. But it admits that preventing new HIV infections has been a challenge.