Our round-up of the health news headlines on Monday 8 August.
Cancer patients ‘must exercise', declare the BBC and the Mail this morning. A report by the charity Macmillan Cancer Support recommends two and a half hours of exercise a week for cancer patients, and advises that traditional ‘take it easy' advice is outdated. Click here to download their evidence review.
A single genetic fault has been identified that increases a woman's risk of ovarian cancer six-fold, the Independent and Telegraph report. Ovarian cancer usually carries a one in 70 risk for women, but those with the faulty RAD51D gene were found to have a one in 11 risk of developing ovarian cancer during her lifetime.
The Guardian reports the ‘surprising' findings that the NHS is one of the most cost-effective health systems in the developed world. A study by the Royal Society of Medicine finds the NHS saved more lives for each pound spent as a proportion of national wealth than any other country apart from Ireland over 25 years. Among the 17 countries considered, the United States healthcare system was among the least efficient and effective.
Lastly the Telegraph wags its finger at essential oil burners. Fire chiefs are investigating a spate of unexplained fires thought to have been sparked by towels and linen covered in scented oils. Officials are linking at least half-a-dozen fires in recent months in homes, launderettes and beauty salons to the same cause. Can you smell a burning health and safety issue?
If you've seen any health news you'd like to discuss, post it in the comments below.
