News digest – vaping as a stop-smoking aid, an NHS first, cervical screening samples and why cancer won’t be ‘cured in a year’

Behavioural support almost twice as effective for quitting smoking when combined with e-cigs

A UK trial found that when behavioural support is combined with vaping it is almost twice as effective for quitting smoking as behavioural support with nicotine replacement therapies such as gum or nicotine patches. The study, supported by Cancer Research UK, is the first to put these two approaches head-to-head. Read the Guardian and our news report for more.

First patient receives CAR T cell therapy on NHS

The BBC reports the first NHS patient has received a pioneering new immunotherapy. The 11-year-old had the personalised treatment for his leukaemia at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London after conventional treatment hadn’t worked. Our news report has the details.

Cervical screening sample backlog

There has been backlog of cervical screening samples that need to be checked due to a change in testing procedures. The Guardian covered this one, with the data coming from a report looking into screening programmes across the UK.

Study that could help GPs spot signs of throat cancer

The BBC covered a study that found a link between throat cancer and a persistent sore throat, but only when combined with other symptoms, such as shortness of breath or persistent hoarseness. The researchers recommended doctors with elderly patients who have a persistent sore throat and other symptoms refer them for further throat cancer checks.

Health professional to step in for GPs

Pharmacists and physios will cover some routine appointments normally carried out by GPs, according to the Telegraph. The new plan aims to reduce GP surgery waiting times, giving doctors more time with sicker patients.

NHS trust chief warns of no-deal Brexit medicine delays

Hospitals in England could quickly run out of certain medicines if a Brexit deal isn’t reached, according to the CEO of a leading hospital group. This could mean potential delays to operations and waiting times increasing for patients. The BBC has more on this.

And finally

The Sun and many other media outlets jumped on an Israeli company’s unsubstantiated claims that they will have a cure for cancer ‘in a year’. Cancer isn’t just one disease, so finding a single treatment for all cancers is unlikely. And the company is yet to published any research data to back up its claims. We took to Twitter to explain more, and this excellent piece in Forbes made its case for why the claims shouldn’t be believed.

Gabi