Tobacco is the only consumer product that kills one in two long-term users. It remains the preventable cause of more than a quarter of all cancer deaths in the UK. The tobacco industry has funded misleading research and seeks to gain unwarranted respectability by association with credible bodies such as universities.

Greg Lucier, who has devoted his career to genetics, was shocked by what his own profile revealed, he tells Jeremy Laurance

A naturally occurring molecule in bacteria can block the development of breast cancer, scientists have discovered, paving the way for the design of more potent and selective drugs.

A single genetic fault in a gene that normally helps the body to repair its DNA increases a woman's risk of ovarian cancer six-fold, a study has found.

The risk of getting bowel cancer and the chances of surviving it have both doubled in a generation.

The risk of developing cancer in middle age has risen by almost a fifth within a generation, causing thousands more individuals to live under the burden of the diagnosis.

The recession and a squeeze on household incomes is hitting donations to charities, which are down £70m on last year.

Research into cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's could be set back by boycott

A warning against the use of mobile telephones has been issued by the World Health Organisation after scientists identified a potential link with a type of brain cancer.

Cancer patients will be saved from unnecessary chemotherapy after scientists discovered that the most unstable cancer cells are actually least likely to multiply and spread. Each cell contains thousands of genes within 23 pairs of chromosomes.

Patricia Roffey and Emily Dugan present profiles of 100 people who make Britain a better and a happier place to live. If you would like to nominate someone for The Happy List click on the link below

Tributes poured in to golf legend Seve Ballesteros after the former world number one player died today aged 54 at his home in Spain.

Tens of thousands of runners set off in good conditions as the London Marathon got under way today.