Warning given over elderly care
More than 70 councillors question plans to provide free personal care for the most vulnerable elderly people in England.

Bowel cancer 'hotspots' are found
Scientists find genetic hotspots that they say will help doctors better target bowel cancer treatments.

Hospitals 'stretched' by troops
Afghan and UK hospitals are being stretched by the number of troops hurt in Helmand province, the National Audit Office says.

Sweet tooth 'hints at depression'
While most children like sugary foods, those with an extra-sweet tooth may have depression, say researchers.

Backless hospital gown redesigned
Backless hospital gowns get a Hollywood-style makeover to preserve patients' dignity.

Fertile forties pregnancy warning
Experts fear older women are ditching contraception in the mistaken belief that fertility wanes at a certain age.

Social care flat fee plan denied
Health Secretary Andy Burnham denies planning a £20,000 compulsory inheritance levy to pay for social care in England.

'Third-hand smoke' risk warning
Lingering residue from tobacco smoke that clings to upholstery, clothing and the skin releases cancer-causing agents, warn experts.

Storing up sleep could combat tiredness say scientists
New research from the Walter Reed Army Institute for Research suggests that sleep can be stored up in advance to raise alertness after a period of sleep deprivation.

'Don't rely on science to stop biological clock'
Science offers many hopes to would-be families anxious to start a family. But in this week's Scrubbing Up, a leading expert warns age is still the critical factor in achieving that dream.

Q&A: Advice about swine flu
Information about swine flu and the potential threat it poses.

Pesticide fight
Georgina Downs' 10 year fight against farm chemicals

Banana v KitKat
Which is better? It's time for a snack stand off

Gold, myrrh and...
Could frankincense be used to treat cancer?

Baby opt-out
Should drug addicts be paid to get sterilised?

Problem gamblers
Doctors 'not picking up patients' gambling problems'

First Lady tackles child obesity
First Lady Michelle Obama launches a nationwide campaign to tackle child obesity, which she says threatens America's future.

Eye worries for young diabetics
Doctors say more younger diabetics are needing sight-saving treatment for a condition older patients normally develop.

Brain injury linked to gambling
Californian scientists think they may have discovered the part of the brain which makes people fear losing money.

Cancer nurses funding row
Gordon Brown has given more details of Labour's plans to provide dedicated one-to-one specialist nursing for everyone in England diagnosed with cancer.

Exercise 'can cut gallstone risk'
Doing lots of exercise drastically cuts the risk of developing painful gallstones, UK researchers have found.

Glaxo to shed 380 research jobs
Drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline axes 380 research and development jobs in Essex as part of a restructure to save £500m.

Genes reveal 'biological ageing'
Scientists say they have pinpointed gene variants that might show how fast people's bodies are ageing.

GPs warn about 'population rise'
New Scottish GP practices should be set up in areas which are likely to see population increases, the BMA says.

Cancer: The facts
Information and statistics on common types of cancer