News digest – obesity and cancer, bacteria on skin, new immunotherapy targets and… vaping safety?
Science blog
- People born between the early 80s and mid 90s are set to be the most overweight age group since records began by the time they reach middle age. Our widely reported new figures are concerning as research shows carrying extra weight in adulthood can increase the risk of 13 different types of cancer.
- The release of these figures was tied to the launch of our campaign to raise awareness of the link between obesity and cancer. And it’s already sparked debate on social media. We also blogged about the evidence showing that losing weight if you’re already overweight or obese can reduce the risk of cancer.
- Watch our campaign video: What’s the biggest preventable cause of cancer after smoking?
- Some early changes to cells in the cervix detected by screening might not need treatment, according to early research. The BBC and The Telegraph reported that in around half of cases abnormal cells return to normal. But upcoming changes to cervical screening are expected to tackle the problem of unnecessary treatment.
- A survey picked up by the Guardian suggests satisfaction with GPs is the lowest in 30 years.
- And the Scottish Daily Mail says patients in Scotland are waiting too long for important cancer tests.
- Breast cancer death rates vary across England, report Sky News and The Sun. Experts suggest this could be due to regional differences in the number of women turning up to breast screening as well as other factors linked to NHS staff shortages like an unavailability of appointments.
- Researchers in California think that a common bacterium found on healthy human skin could protect against skin cancer, according to the Guardian. The scientists were surprised to see that melanomas didn’t grow as big in mice that were treated with a chemical produced by the microbe. Now they need to investigate this further to see if it could ever be used to prevent the disease in people.
- US researchers have found a potential new target for genetically engineered immune cells that could help them attack a type of aggressive brain tumour called glioblastoma. Our news report has the details.
Related Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical and Healthcare News
- The Guardian explores the evidence linking bacon to cancer and looks into the industry that provides processed meat.
And finally
- Vapers are more likely to get pneumonia, says the Mail Online. But the study this claim was based on included just 17 people. Researchers found that vaping increased levels of a molecule that helps pneumonia-causing bacteria stick to the airways, but did not look at pneumonia itself. More vapers will need to be studied and followed over a long period of time to see if there’s a link and if there are long term effects.
Gabi
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