Extra radiation lowers breast cancer recurrence: Study

Health Journal (Breast Cancer) : CHICAGO - EXTRA radiation treatment lowers the rate of breast cancer recurring in women who have had tumours surgically removed, according to preliminary results of a study published on Saturday.

'These results are potentially practice-changing,' said Timothy Whelan, an oncology professor at McMaster University of Canada and lead author of the clinical study.

Prof Whelan presented the findings at the 47th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, being held in Chicago. More than 1,800 women who had breast-conserving surgery participated in the study, receiving whole breast radiation (WBI) alone or WBI along with radiation to the surrounding lymph nodes.

German E. coli outbreak 'stabilising'

A patient infected with enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) is being dialysed at the Marienkrankenhaus hospital in Hamburg, northern Germany, on May 24, 2011. -- PHOTO: AFP

HAMBURG (Germany) - AN OUTBREAK of E. coli poisoning that has killed at least 18 people appears to be stabilising, a senior doctor in the German city of Hamburg, the epicentre of the outbreak, said on Friday.

'The situation is that the number of new infections appears to be stabilising somewhat,' said Mr Reinhard Brunkhorst, president of the German Nephrology Society dealing with kidney diseases.

'We are dealing here in fact with the biggest epidemic caused by bacteria in recent decades,' he told reporters.

Exercise protects and improves the aging brain

By Megan Brooks

NEW YORK, US - Two new studies provide more evidence that regular aerobic exercise not only staves off the problems with thinking and memory that often come with age, but it can actually help turn back the clock on brain aging.

In one study, researchers found evidence that engaging in moderate physical activity such as brisk walking, swimming, or yoga in midlife or later may cut the risk of developing mild thinking problems.