News digest – brain lasers, tamoxifen, shark myths and more

Our picks of the headlines

• The Express and others wrote about “women dying unnecessarily” because they are not completing their treatment with the breast cancer drug tamoxifen. We discussed the research in this blog post, and NHS Choices wrote a great analysis.

• We also wrote more generally about side effects, how they can be debilitating, and how research is the answer to understanding them.

• A new laser-based technology could make brain tumour surgery much more accurate, according to US research. Here’s our story.

• Lung diseases such as lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease cause one in 10 deaths across Europe, new figures showed. The BBC has more info.

• Most adult survivors of childhood cancer cope well, but some are susceptible to symptoms of depression. This press release has more detail.

• Our scientists discovered a gene in mice that, if faulty, may increase the risk of ovarian cancer. The next step is to see what the gene does in women. The BBC was one of several news organisations to cover the research.

• Young people are less likely to notice back-of-pack picture warnings on cigarette packaging, according to new research. This highlights the need for picture warnings on both the front and back of packs – our news story has more info.

• Here’s a video from the BBC about online games that help young people learn about their cancer.

• Our own Dr Kat Arney wrote for Al Jazeera about the global war on cancer and how there are few one-size-fits-all solutions.

• Dr Len from the American Cancer Society wrote this thought-provoking piece about insurance companies in the US carrying out PSA prostate cancer tests on men without their knowledge.

And finally

• Despite widespread belief to the contrary, sharks do get cancer. This and other myths are discussed in this must-read Guardian article.