ireland.com - The Irish Times

Smoking linked to variety ofcancers
THE FIRST major audit of cancer care by a large hospital in the Republic has shown a strong link between smoking and a variety of cancers. p

British biochemist wants to test HIV drug in Ireland
A LEADING British biochemist has developed an antiviral drug which he believes will reduce HIV and Hepatitis infection to undetectable levels leaving patients virtually symptom-free. p

Drumm rules out extra Mercy funds
THE CHIEF executive of the Health Service Executive (HSE), Prof Brendan Drumm, has ruled out extra funding for the Mercy University Hospital (MUH) in Cork, and said the hospital must use its existing budget to fund the opening of a new €4.7 million emergency department which has remained idle for more than a year. p

Out-of-hours counselling service launched in Tallaght
IRELAND HAS a shortage of affordable, discreet and out-of-hours counselling services, according to the director of a community facility launched yesterday. p

Restored organs key to shortage
USING "RESTORED" kidneys in transplants could help address a global shortage of donor organs, according to new medical reports. p
Cancer patients urged todonate
CANCER PATIENTS could help uncover better ways to diagnose and treat the disease - if they donated removed tumours or blood samples for research, according to a patient advocate from the United States who will address a biobanking conference in Dublin tomorrow. p
HSE meetings cost more than €7,500
IT COSTS between €7,500 and €8,500 to hold each meeting of the Health Service Executive's Western Regional Forum, according to new figures. p
Music therapy used in rehabilitation of patients with acquired brain injury
AN INCREASE in the number of music therapists training in Ireland may mean the provision of unorthodox treatment for people with acquired brain injuries. p
In Short
Cancer risk up 75% for young sunbed users: Young people who use sunbeds are increasing their risk of life-threatening skin cancer by up to 75 per cent, a charity warned yesterday. p

HSE numbers down by 2,061
JUST DAYS after staff in the public health services began to ballot on industrial action in protest at recruitment restrictions introduced over recent months, new figures show that the numbers employed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) have fallen by more than 2,000 since last autumn. p
Superbug cutbacks continue
Medical experts fear that continued HSE cutbacks are leading to relaxed attitudes to the diagnosis and treatment of the fatal superbug MRSA, writes Lorna Siggins , Western Correspondent p
MRSA: What is it and how is it transmitted?
Methicillin-resistiant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a particular strain of the common staphylococcus aureus bacterium which can live in noses and on human skin. p
From Shanghai to Dublin: the great Ministerial swap
MAURICE NELIGAN HEARTBEAT The East may have a lot to teach us - from health, to infinity, and beyond p

Lights, camera, action
THE UNUSUALLY high level of entrants by third-level students to an inaugural film competition, which was launched in Dublin late last year and limited to Dublin colleges only, has taken the organisers by surprise. p
Stroke of bad luck
Prof Terence Dolan is determined to regain full mobility after suffering a stroke, writes Catherine Foley p
Keeping the wow factor alive
TONY BATES MIND MOVES Making adolescents feel secure while taking risks is crucial for their self-esteem p
Same symptoms, different treatment
MARION KERR CHECK-UP Treatment of a urinary problem will very much depend on cause p
Lifelines
Other health stories in brief p

Tackling a man's grief
Men are often forgotten about during a miscarriage but their feelings of grief are just as real, writes Ciaran Brennan p
I felt a failure: I could do nothing
Lorcan O'Toole's wife, June, who is chairwoman of the Miscarriage Association of Ireland, suffered two miscarriages. He says that men often suffer in silence, but that it is a combination of being forgotten and, partly, hiding. p
Energy demands of everyday activities
GILES WARRINGTON FIT FOR LIFE Getting your energy levels right for you p
A hot coffee is all that you need
PADRAIG O'MORAIN THAT'S MEN We are all influenced by each other's behaviour, whether we think it or not p
Remedy affects test accuracy
THOMAS LYNCH MEN'S HEALTH MATTERS Your health questions answered p

One in four logs on for mental health issues
IF YOU had a question about mental health issues, where would you turn - a doctor? The clergy? Or perhaps your computer? p
Serendipity in medicine, and in everyday life
MUIRIS HOUSTON MEDICAL MATTERS "You must by skill make good what has fallen by chance." - Terence (no surname) 2nd century BC p
In knead of good bread
While industrially produced bread has become the norm over the years, there's good news on the horizon as the traditional bakeries make a comeback, writes John McKenna p

Going with the flow
A meditative movement practice has generated a strong following here, writes Sylvia Thompson p
Evening primrose fails to impress in research studies
DÓNAL O'MATHÚNA DOES IT WORK? Although unlikely to cure any specific illness, evening primrose can help maintain good health p

Call for ban on 'junk food' advertising to children
Organisations say restricting promotion of unhealthy food is key to tackling childhood obesity, writes Michael Kelly p
Mum's the word for networking mammies
Magicmum.com is an invaluable source of information, entertainment and friendship, writes Sheila Wayman p
'It is a mine of information'
From miscarriage to noisy neighbours, Magicmum members give each other real- life, relevant support and information p
We grasp at life even when we're gasping for breath
MARIE MURRAY HEALTH PLUS We face serious illness with fortitude. It does not tear us apart, it unites us p
Bullying tactics
DAVID COLEMAN ASK THE EXPERT Coping with bullying and its aftermath can be difficult for parents, particularly if it has been hidden from them p
When the inner beast is unleashed in public
ADAM BROPHY IT'S A DAD'S LIFE If your child's tantrums begin to reflect your own, it's time to grow up p

'I was sure I was going to die'
IT HAPPENED TO ME In just over two weeks, surgeon Oliver Clinton travelled to America, had a brain tumour removed and returned home to Ireland to recover p

Well on track for charity
CLAIRE O'CONNELL A NEW LIFE Being made redundant gave Orla Sheehan the chance to concentrate on her charity work p
A wish for greater co-operation
ON THE COUCH Noel Daly is executive chairman of The Health Partnership, a healthcare consultancy business p

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