In more than 1,300 presentations from scientists working in 75 countries, the conference will discuss the latest advances in stem cell research, proteomics, biomarkers, pharmacogenomics, imaging, treatment and coping with life after cancer, as well as the latest evidence on epidemiological trends, complementary therapies, quality of life issues and the influence of lifestyle choices on the development and outcome of cancer. [click link for full article]

The most commonly used measure for pain screening may only be modestly accurate, according to researchers from the Indiana University School of Medicine and the University of North Carolina. In a study that appears in the October issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine, they evaluate the usefulness of a scale that asks patients in primary care to rate their current pain from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain). [click link for full article]

Cancer Research UK funded a record £315m of research last year. The milestone marks nearly a doubling in research funding since the Charity was formed five years ago, according to its annual report and accounts published last Friday 14 September 2007. [click link for full article]

As the cold and flu season approaches the BMA is today calling on adults and children1 to follow basic hygiene rules to prevent the spread of infections. The new BMA report ‘The prevention and treatment of viral respiratory disorders’ states that simple measures like hand washing and not coughing and sneezing over people, will help prevent the spread of infection in the event of a major outbreak of flu. [click link for full article]

The second European survey [1] analysing how cancer research is funded shows that contrary to public perception Europe is a major contributor to the global cancer research effort. Prof Richard Sullivan, chair of the European Cancer Research Managers Forum (ECRM), launched the organisation’s second survey, which looks at the overall €3.2 billion cancer research spend for 2004, at the European Parliament today (Tuesday 18 September). [click link for full article]

The American Cancer Society, the nation’s largest voluntary health organization, announced a major nationwide initiative to call attention to the urgent need for quality, affordable health care for all Americans. [click link for full article]

A ten year study of bone fractures among post-menopausal women has found that the absolute risk of a second clinical fracture is highest in the five years after any first clinical fracture. The absolute risk for a first clinical fracture is lower and depends on osteoporosis and age. The research, published in this month’s issue of Menopause International, was a population-based study covering ten general practice centres in the Netherlands. [click link for full article]

Data from an international survey presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Stockholm, Sweden, have shown that the majority of patients with asthma are uncontrolled, despite frequent visits to their doctor. [click link for full article]

The Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD) announced the launch of a book that aims to change how respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis and asthma are managed worldwide. ‘Global surveillance, prevention and control of chronic respiratory diseases: A comprehensive approach’, is the first publication by GARD, an international partnership led and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO). [click link for full article]

Warnings about adverse effects of chlorinated swimming pools, particularly where they affect children’s airways, are becoming increasingly prominent in the scientific literature. The harmful impact of air breathed in close to the chlorinated water could even be one cause of the upsurge in child asthma recorded in the industrialised countries. [click link for full article]