Que. coroner says defibrillator would've helped boy who died in school fight

MONTREAL - A 12-year-old boy who died after a schoolyard fight would have had a better chance of survival if there had been a defibrillator nearby, a Quebec coroner said Tuesday....More

Jury continues deliberations at trial of Sask. doctor accused of sex assault

REGINA - The jury that will decide the fate of a Saskatchewan doctor accused of sexually assaulting six patients is headed into a third day of deliberations. Late Tuesday, the jury told court it had made a decision on five of the counts facing Dr....More

Don't save Quebec's dying asbestos industry: Canadian Cancer Society

MONTREAL - The Canadian Cancer Society is urging Quebec to pull the plug on one of the country's last-remaining asbestos mines, a move the organization hopes will eventually shutter an industry blamed for thousands of deaths worldwide....More

Cambodia's prime minister, cabinet colleagues sickened by swine flu

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and three of his cabinet ministers have contracted swine flu and the premier is recovering after several days of medical care, the Health Ministry said Tuesday....More

British MDs say there could be twice as many Huntington's cases as once thought

LONDON - British officials say there may be twice as many cases of Huntington's disease in Britain than previously thought....More

Alberta Health Services $11B budget includes more money for ERs, seniors

EDMONTON - Alberta Health Services says reducing wait times in hospital emergency departments and improving care for seniors are top priorities in its $11.2-billion budget....More

Could teen exercise pay dividends in less cognitive impairment as a senior?

TORONTO - Exercise has been linked to possible benefits in staving off dementia in numerous studies in the past decade, but a new look at the topic suggests the earlier the better....More

British doctors say there could be twice as many cases of Huntington's disease as once thought

LONDON - British officials say there may be twice as many cases of Huntington's disease in Britain than previously thought....More

More studies label controversial diabetes drug a heart disease risk

TORONTO - A mere two weeks before a critical hearing on the future of a controversial diabetes medication, new studies have been published that add to mounting evidence that the drug, Avandia, poses what critics describe as an unnecessary risk to people who take it....More

More exercise prescribed for cancer survivors, even before they finish therapy

WASHINGTON - New guidelines urge cancer survivors to exercise more, even, difficult as it may sound, those who have not yet finished their treatment....More

Here is a list of some children's foods in study of sugar and salt content

CALGARY - A study suggests pint-sized convenience foods aimed at babies and toddlers pack a grown-up wallop of sugar and salt....More

Heavy women have higher chance of a miscarriage after in-vitro fertilization

LONDON - Overweight women have a much higher risk of a miscarriage after having in-vitro fertilization compared with slim women, new research says....More

Clumsy kids have greater chance of being overweight, study suggests

TORONTO - Children with developmental co-ordination disorder have a greater likelihood of being overweight or obese than their classmates, a study of close to 2,000 Ontario schoolkids suggests....More

Baby's first cookie? Foods aimed at very young children chock full of sugar

CALGARY - A study suggests pint-sized convenience foods aimed at babies and toddlers pack a grown-up wallop of sugar and salt and normalize an unhealthy diet from an extremely early age....More

Antibiotic plus common cardiovascular drugs can be dangerous taken together

TORONTO - A study has found that giving a certain antibiotic to elderly patients already taking commonly prescribed cardiovascular drugs can be dangerous....More

90% of docs surveyed say physicians overtest to protect against lawsuits

CHICAGO - Ninety per cent of physicians surveyed said doctors overtest and overtreat to protect themselves from malpractice lawsuits....More

First history, now recovery. Tennis marathon men need to refuel, recoup: experts

The longest tennis match in history may be in the books, but for American John Isner and Nicolas Mahut of France the recovery has just begun....More

B.C. promises family doctors for all with overhaul of health system

VANCOUVER - The B.C. government is promising everyone in the province will have access to a family doctor by 2015....More

B.C. hospital ships surgical tools to private clinic as sterilization woes mount

KAMLOOPS, B.C. - All three sterilization units at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, B.C., are once again out of service. NDP health critic Adrian Dix says doctors were informed Wednesday night of the equipment breakdowns....More

AIDS vigil honours those who have died and calls on G20 leaders for action

TORONTO - About 2,000 people gathered in Toronto on Thursday night for a candlelight vigil to honour those who have died of HIV-AIDS....More

New Brunswick Tories make campaign promise to recruit more doctors

FREDERICTON - New Brunswick's Conservative leader says he has a vision of every family having access to a family doctor, but he's not ready to commit to making that happen....More

Bug-spray opponents in Winnipeg may lose right to say 'no' to spray

WINNIPEG - There are some issues that touch a nerve so deep they can pit neighbour against neighbour and erupt into shouting matches or violence....More

When are those hot flashes coming? Scientists propose test that could predict menopause

LONDON - Doctors could one day use a blood test to predict decades in advance when women will go into menopause, scientists say....More

Study: Heavy women have higher chance of a miscarriage after artificial reproduction

LONDON - Overweight women have a much higher risk of a miscarriage after having in-vitro fertilization compared with slim women, new research says....More

N.S. health district cutting salt in food served at two cafeterias

HALIFAX - Hold the salt. Nova Scotia's Capital Health district is introducing a low sodium menu at two Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre cafeterias this week. The recipes are all from a new book by staff dietitian Maureen Tilley....More

Metis more likely to have diabetes and die young than other Manitobans

WINNIPEG - A study suggests Metis people in Manitoba are more prone to develop some chronic diseases and die before the age of 75 than the province's general population....More

McDougall staying at development agency, despite calls to quit over tobacco ties

TORONTO - The board of the International Development Research Centre is standing by its chair Barbara McDougall, who has come under fire for having an overlapping tenure on the board of a tobacco giant....More

Lawyers argue about the effect on hearing of the so-called sound cannon

TORONTO - The risk of hearing loss posed by so-called sound cannons was on trial Wednesday as civil liberty groups made a last-minute pitch to prevent police from using the devices on unruly G20 protesters....More

First history, now recovery. Tennis marathon men need to refuel, recoup: experts

The longest tennis match in history may be in the books, but for American John Isner and Nicolas Mahut of France the recovery has just begun....More

B.C. promises family doctors for all with overhaul of health system

VANCOUVER - The B.C. government is promising everyone in the province will have access to a family doctor by 2015....More

B.C. hospital ships surgical tools to private clinic as sterilization woes mount

KAMLOOPS, B.C. - All three sterilization units at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, B.C., are once again out of service. NDP health critic Adrian Dix says doctors were informed Wednesday night of the equipment breakdowns....More

AIDS vigil honours those who have died and calls on G20 leaders for action

TORONTO - About 2,000 people gathered in Toronto on Thursday night for a candlelight vigil to honour those who have died of HIV-AIDS....More

Massage therapist in Okotoks, Alta., charged with sexual assault

OKOTOKS, Alta. - Police have charged a southern Alberta massage therapist with sexual assault. Robert Scott, who is 50, was employed at a chiropractic and massage therapy clinic in Okotoks, just south of Calgary....More

Lawyers argue about the effect on hearing of the so-called sound cannon

TORONTO - The risk of hearing loss posed by so-called sound cannons was on trial Wednesday as civil liberty groups made a last-minute pitch to prevent police from using the devices on unruly G20 protesters....More

Health region says wet weather adds to farmers' worry, warns of rising stress

Flood waters are receding in parts of the Prairies but something else may be rising — the stress level of farmers whose land is waterlogged....More

Gender gap in salaries leads many female scientists to

TORONTO - More than ever, girls are being encouraged to become scientists, but the reality of a career in the lab often fails to meet expectations when it comes to salary and the climb up the academic ladder....More

Doctor studies travel-related illness in kids, advises seeking pre-travel advice

Parents should get pre-travel health advice before they set out on international trips to reduce the risk of children becoming sick, says a pediatric infectious diseases specialist....More

CT scans pose risks, need more regulation to prevent radiation harm: experts

From long-term cancer risks to radiation overdose mistakes, CT scans pose a growing danger to the American public and need more regulation to improve their safety, imaging experts write in a leading medical journal....More

Alberta to add 3,000 continuing care beds in next three years: health minister

BEAUMONT, Alta. - Alberta says it will add 3,000 continuing care beds over the next three years — about 1,100 of them in the next 12 months....More

Lawyers argue about the effect on hearing of the so-called sound cannon

TORONTO - The risk of hearing loss posed by so-called sound cannons was on trial Wednesday as civil liberty groups made a last-minute pitch to prevent police from using the devices on unruly G20 protesters....More

A last hurrah? ABC News series catches remarkable transplant story

NEW YORK, N.Y. - ABC's remarkable program bringing together the recipient of the nation's second face transplant and the donor's family may someday stand as a bittersweet reminder of what broadcast news divisions can do at their best....More

Women's, reproductive-rights groups urge abortion access in G8 initiative

OTTAWA - Women’s and reproductive-rights organizations have written a last-minute letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper urging him to include abortion funding in his G8 maternal- and child-health initiative....More

Two members of panel assessing WHO's pandemic response step down

GENEVA - Two members of a panel set up to appraise the WHO's handling of the H1N1 pandemic have stepped down because they were involved in the response the review committee is assessing....More

Kids whose moms lived near cellphone towers in pregnancy: No greater cancer risk

LONDON - Children whose mothers lived close to a mobile phone tower while pregnant did not appear to be at any higher risk of cancer than children whose mothers lived farther away, a new study finds....More

Care consultant co-writes support guide on dealing with aging, illness and dying

TORONTO - Within 24 hours, Sherri Auger was faced with assuming two of the most difficult responsibilities in her life — arranging her mother's funeral and preparing to place her father in long-term care....More

B.C. subatomic physics lab will seek new ways to produce medical isotopes

VANCOUVER - The B.C. government is investing $30 million in a subatomic physics lab at the University of B.C. in a project aimed at improving the future supply of medical isotopes....More

'Are we there yet?' Survey shows what parents can't do without on road trip

"ARE WE THERE YET?" The longest summer drive on average this year will be about 8.5 hours each way, according to a recent survey....More

Health region says wet weather adds to farmers' worry, warns of rising stress

Flood waters are receding in parts of the Prairies but something else may be rising — the stress level of farmers whose land is waterlogged....More

Journal says ex-cabinet minister McDougall should resign from development agency

TORONTO - The Canadian Medical Association Journal has added its voice to calls that a former federal cabinet minister resign from the International Development Research Centre....More

International Slowness Day: one day a year to replace cellphones with yoga mats

MONTREAL - The province that gave the world the Cirque du soleil, William Shatner and poutine hopes to export a brand new phenomenon — International Slowness Day....More

Hospitals, medics prepare for possible injuries, use of tear gas at G20 protests

TORONTO - In what's likely an understatement, Justin Saunders says "it's really not fun" to experience the eye-watering, cough-inducing effects of tear gas....More

Hearing begins on whether class-action suit can be filed over Sydney tar ponds

HALIFAX - The Supreme Court of Nova Scotia has been asked to determine whether a group of 400 people can launch a class-action lawsuit over health problems they claim they've suffered by living near the notorious Sydney tar ponds....More

Drug addiction amongst Afghans twice the world average

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Being the world's largest producer of opium is taking its toll in the form of collateral damage on the residents of Afghanistan....More

Double whammy: Diabetes appears to raise risk of serious liver disease

TORONTO - It's long been known having diabetes increases a person's risk of kidney failure and vision loss, but a new study suggests another potential negative consequence of the disease....More

Cyclospora outbreak in Sarnia, Ont., likely over; 'cool pesto crunch' blamed

SARNIA, Ont. - Lambton Community Health Services says it has closed its investigation of last month's cyclospora outbreak in Sarnia, Ont., that sickened more than 200 people....More

A last hurrah? ABC News series catches remarkable transplant story

NEW YORK, N.Y. - ABC's remarkable program bringing together the recipient of the nation's second face transplant and the donor's family may someday stand as a bittersweet reminder of what broadcast news divisions can do at their best....More

83% of pro-eating disorder sites have 'overt' tips on practising behaviour: study

TORONTO - The vast majority of websites that appear to support or endorse eating disorders provide "overt suggestions" on engaging in eating-disordered behaviours, according to a new study. U.S....More

Saskatchewan doctor takes stand in own defence at sexual assault trial

REGINA - A Saskatchewan doctor charged with sexually assaulting six patients has taken the stand in his own defence, describing his methods for performing breast and pelvic exams. Dr....More

Recalled meats may have been sold in some deli counters in several provinces

OTTAWA - Canadian food safety regulators say some processed meat products recalled this month may have made it into products sold from store deli counters....More

New amendment protects jobs of living organ, tissue donors in Manitoba

WINNIPEG - Workers in Manitoba now have the right to take unpaid leave from work to become living organ and tissue donors. A new amendment in the province's Employment Standards Code provides for workers to take up to 13 weeks of unpaid leave....More

'Pirates of the Caribbean' trundle bed recalled as deemed a hazard

TORONTO - Health Canada is alerting parents about the recall of a "Pirates of the Caribbean" themed trundle bed that has been deemed a hazard to small children....More

Will the Gulf oil spill cause any health problems? Experts to weigh in at New Orleans meeting

ATLANTA - When an Associated Press reporter went scuba diving in the oil-streaked Gulf of Mexico this month, people commenting on websites worried about his health. But at the same time, the oil sure didn't bother some beachgoers in Alabama....More

Hearing to determine if class-action suit can be launched over Sydney tar ponds

HALIFAX - A hearing will begin today in Halifax that will decide if 400 people who claim their health was harmed by living near the Sydney tar ponds can launch a class-action suit. Nine days have been set aside for the matter in Nova Scotia Supreme Court....More

Drug addiction amongst Afghans twice the world average

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Being the world's largest producer of opium is taking its toll in the form of collateral damage on the residents of Afghanistan....More

Michael Jackson's doctor requested, never received lifesaving gear

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Michael Jackson's doctor requested but never received lifesaving gear from the concert promoter organizing the singer's London shows, documents obtained by The Associated Press show. Emails and a proposed contract detailing Dr....More

Inquiry report into Dziekanski's death likely to focus on actions of Mounties

VANCOUVER - The many people who encountered Robert Dziekanski the night he died, from Vancouver airport and customs staff to the four RCMP officers who stunned him with a Taser, are about to receive a very public report card....More

Huggies maker to donate millions of diapers in Canada, U.S., and raise awareness

NEW YORK, N.Y. - The maker of Huggies plans to give away millions of diapers in Canada and the U.S. while also raising awareness about parents who struggle financially to provide them for their children....More

H1N1 swaps genes with other pig viruses;more surveillance need: Scientists

TORONTO - Scientists from Hong Kong are calling for ramped-up surveillance of pig populations after discovering a new swine flu virus that is a hybrid of the pandemic H1N1 virus and viruses previously found in pigs....More

Governments seek new safety standards to help stop kids from strangling on window blind cords

WASHINGTON - Consumer safety officials in the U.S., Canada and Europe are calling for better safety standards for window blinds and shades after reports of scores of children strangling on cords....More

B.C. hospital cancels surgeries after more sterilization woes

KAMLOOPS, B.C. - An Interior B.C. hospital has been forced to cancel more elective surgeries after two of its three steam sterilizers broke down....More

Aboriginal infant deaths high in both urban, rural Manitoba: study

An extensive study of infant mortality in Manitoba has shown that the death rate for aboriginal babies is more than twice the Canadian average and doesn't improve no matter how close their mothers live to sophisticated health-care facilities....More

83% of pro-eating disorder sites have 'overt' tips on practising behaviour: study

TORONTO - The vast majority of websites that appear to support or endorse eating disorders provide "overt suggestions" on engaging in eating-disordered behaviours, according to a new study. U.S....More

Not my teen: Researcher says parents believe other teens have sex but not theirs

RALEIGH, N.C. - Carole Bullard considers herself open-minded when it comes to dealing with the sexuality of her teen son and her almost teenage one. She and her husband, Roger, have age-appropriate talks with their sons, ages 17 and 12....More

New diabetes cases expected to grow to 1.9M in Cda between 2007 and 2017: report

TORONTO - A new report on diabetes in Canada looks at the recent past and peers into the future, predicting that 1.9 million people will develop the disease between 2007 and 2017....More

N.S. nurse reprimanded for taking H1N1 vaccine, giving shots to family

SYDNEY, N.S. - A Nova Scotia nurse has been reprimanded for misappropriating swine flu vaccine and immunizing his family in their home during an outbreak of the pandemic last fall....More

Medical isotopes shortage led to 20% cut in some tests, budget overruns: report

TORONTO - The shortage of medical isotopes resulting from the shutdown of the Chalk River reactor had a sizable impact on medical facilities across the country and the patients they treat, a report released Wednesday suggests....More

Listeria fears prompt CFIA to expand recall affecting Smith's Quality Meats

OTTAWA - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is expanding an existing recall of ready-to-eat meat products from Smith's Quality Meats....More

Italian doctor touts unproven MS treatment; society wants more studies

OTTAWA - An Italian doctor pioneering an unproven treatment for multiple sclerosis told MPs Tuesday it's irresponsible to deny Canadian patients access to the procedure. Dr....More

Children's advocate to review if foster home overcrowding led to toddler's death

SASKATOON - Saskatchewan's children's advocate is questioning whether overcrowding in a foster home played a role in a toddler's death....More

Michael Jackson's doctor requested, never received lifesaving gear

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Michael Jackson's doctor requested but never received lifesaving gear from the concert promoter organizing the singer's London shows, documents obtained by The Associated Press show. Emails and a proposed contract detailing Dr....More

Overdiagnosed: Some cancers found too early are posing a dilemma in choosing best treatment

WASHINGTON - D.J. Soviero wanted the least treatment that would beat back her small, early-stage breast cancer, but her first doctor insisted she had only one option: tumour removal followed by radiation and chemotherapy....More

More people injured, but fewer seek medical attention: StatsCan survey

TORONTO - More people taking part in sports, doing household chores, working or walking took a tumble or otherwise got hurt last year, and new figures from Statistics Canada provide a breakdown of these activity-limiting injuries. More than 4....More

Hospital in Cornwall, Ont., fears surgeons to leave over cancelled operations

CORNWALL, Ont. - The chief of staff at the Cornwall Community Hospital in eastern Ontario fears a bed shortage could quickly snowball into a surgeon shortage. For the third time in the last six months, the hospital has had to cancel surgeries....More

Extra pounds can cramp sex life, says European study of more than 12,000 people

LONDON - Scientists say being fat can be bad for the bedroom, especially if you're a woman....More

Doing double duty: H1N1 flu shots protect against Spanish flu too

TORONTO - It appears humankind has a reason to be grateful for the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus — widescale exposure to it has lessened the threat posed by the virus that caused the 1918 Spanish flu, the worst known infectious disease outbreak ever....More

Active Canadians suffered more injuries last year, Statistics Canada reports

OTTAWA - Canadians may be more active these days, but new study concludes they're also suffering more injuries because of it. Statistics Canada reports one in seven, or 4.1 million Canadians aged 12 and older, suffered an activity-limiting injury last year....More

Report gives reasons for backing walks for man who beheaded Greyhound seatmate

WINNIPEG - In the interests of assessing whether a man who beheaded a stranger and ate pieces of his flesh could ever be reintegrated into society, he should be allowed to take short, supervised walks around the grounds of the Selkirk Mental Health Centre....More

Italian doctor touts unproven MS treatment; society wants more studies

OTTAWA - An Italian doctor pioneering an unproven treatment for multiple sclerosis told MPs Tuesday it's irresponsible to deny Canadian patients access to the procedure. Dr....More

Taste buds may feel the pinch, but shaking salt habit a must for health: experts

It's pretty well in everything we eat — literally from soup to nuts — but health experts say Canadians need to shake up their diets and cut back on the salt....More

Quebec breathing new life into one of Canada's last remaining asbestos mines

MONTREAL - The Quebec government is breathing new life into Canada's dying asbestos industry. The province is close to backing a loan of $58 million to reopen a mine in the town of Asbestos, a cash injection that could keep it operating for the next 25 years....More

Forget a spoonful of sugar — swallowing a pill's all in the head tilt

CALGARY - Researchers in Calgary have discovered it doesn't take a spoonful of sugar to make even the biggest pills slide smoothly down tiny throats. They've found that the secret is all in the tilt of the head....More

Experts say cheap drug could stop bleeding and save tens of thousands worldwide

LONDON - A cheap drug that can stop bleeding in recently injured accident patients could potentially save the lives of tens of thousands worldwide, a new study says....More

Chalk drawing protest in Halifax aimed at blood donor ban

HALIFAX - A team of protesters armed with chalk has left its mark on downtown Halifax. The Canadian Federation of Students has confirmed it is behind the so-called End the Ban campaign....More

B.C. man sues after he was treated for cancer instead of spine fracture

VANCOUVER - A B.C. man who went to hospital with back pain and was treated for spinal cancer is now suing because he never had cancer. David Meisner's B.C....More

Alberta nurses meet to ponder mediator's contract recommendations

EDMONTON - Nurses from across the province are meeting Tuesday to discuss a mediator's suggestions for a contract settlement. The United Nurses of Alberta says Tom Hodges has provided the union with formal recommendations for a labour deal....More

Overdiagnosed: Some cancers found early can pose dilemma in choosing treatment

WASHINGTON - D.J. Soviero wanted the least treatment that would beat back her small, early-stage breast cancer, but her first doctor insisted she had only one option: tumour removal followed by radiation and chemotherapy....More

Drug companies share Alzheimer's, other brain research data in hunt for drugs

WASHINGTON - In an unusual step, a dozen competing drug companies have agreed to share data on thousands of Alzheimer's patients in hopes that the extra information will spark new ideas for treatments....More

Canadian, U.S. societies greenlight studies to see if blocked veins cause MS

TORONTO - Multiple sclerosis societies in Canada and the United States have awarded $2.4 million in research grants aimed at finding out whether an unproven new theory of what causes MS is actually correct....More

Autopsy finds Saskatchewan boy drowned, also had scald-type burns

ABERDEEN, Sask. - Aboriginal leaders are demanding an inquiry into why a 22-month-old boy died while in foster care near the community of Aberdeen, Sask....More

Allergic reaction: Feds may ban airlines from serving peanuts as mile-high grub

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Federal regulators in the United States are considering a snack attack on airlines that would restrict or even completely ban serving peanuts on commercial flights. Advocates say the move would ease fears and potential harm to an estimated 1....More

Technology can help people with reading disorders, experts say

MONTREAL - Technology — some of it no further than your local electronics store — is being used more widely to help people with reading difficulties. But many experts caution it should be considered a support and not a cure-all....More

Pre-cooked meat from Winnipeg plant recalled over listeria concerns

WINNIPEG - A Winnipeg food processor is recalling its pre-cooked meat products after an Alberta customer found contamination concerns....More

Board bid foiled for frustrated MS patients pushing for unproven treatment

TORONTO - Multiple sclerosis patients and advocates were thwarted in a bid to win two seats on the MS Society of Canada's board on Saturday, positions they sought in order to push for immediate access to an unproven treatment not available in Canada....More

Millions of litres of sewage accidentally dumped in cities: analysis

OTTAWA - Far more sewage has been spilled in Canadian urban centres over the last six years than any other harmful contaminant, newly released figures show....More

Canada cheered, jeered at maternal health conference for G8 initiative

WASHINGTON - An international maternal health confab ended in a difference of Canadian opinion Wednesday — a Conservative cabinet minister basking in claims of praise, her Liberal rival describing an attack on Ottawa's return to "the Dark Ages" by excluding abortion from...More

Autism caused by wide array of rare gene changes; findings point to drug targets

TORONTO - The largest ever attempt to compare the DNA of individuals with autism to people without the condition shows a substantial number of rare genetic changes are involved in the development of the disease....More

Woman cries telling court about doctor examining breasts after ear complaint

REGINA - The trial of a Regina doctor accused of sexually assaulting six female patients had to briefly adjourn when a fourth complainant broke down on the stand. The 19-year-old woman testified she went to Dr. Edward Poon in 2008 for an ear infection....More

Sask hockey player Mandi Schwartz battles leukemia, urgently needs donors

Saskatchewan hockey player Mandi Schwartz just got some good news, but she still desperately needs help in her battle with leukemia. The 22-year-old from Wilcox was declared in remission by Regina doctors Wednesday....More

Many Hodgkin's lymphoma survivors don't get post-treatment screening: study

TORONTO - Patients who are treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma often don't get screened for other cancers in the years that follow, despite being at greater risk for certain cancers than the general population....More

Family braces for brain tumour, but tick cause of toddler's walking trouble

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. - When Prince George toddler Payton Devlin woke one morning and couldn't walk without falling down, her parents were told to prepare for the worst....More

Cda, U.K., Germany sign deal to co-operate on neurodegenerative disease research

BERLIN - Representatives of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research signed an agreement Thursday with counterparts from Germany and the United Kingdom to support the development of global standards for research on Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases....More

Experts examine mummy of 13th-century saint, say she died of a heart defect

LONDON - For thousands of Catholics, the 13th-century Italian Saint Rose of Viterbo had miraculous powers that allowed her to raise someone from the dead and survive the flames of a burning pyre....More

2010 WORLD CUP: AIDS activists use World Cup's popularity, stars to spread their message

JOHANNESBURG - For health workers, South Africa's World Cup isn't just about soccer....More

Tories take another kick at consumer-safety can with bill to allow recalls

OTTAWA - The Harper government is taking another kick at the consumer-safety can. Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq has tabled a bill that would let the federal government order recalls of dangerous goods....More

Short people might be more susceptible to heart problems, new study says

LONDON - Short people have a 50 per cent higher risk of having a heart problem or dying from one than tall people, a new study says, though weight, blood pressure and smoking habits remain more important factors....More

Regina woman says doctor made her feel like piece of meat during pelvic exam

REGINA - A Regina woman says a doctor that she counted on for help made her feel "like a piece of meat" during a pelvic exam that crossed the line. The 26-year-old woman testified in court Wednesday at the trial of Dr....More

No cures from recent cancer advances, but gains may be bigger than they appear

CHICAGO - Doctors reported gains against nearly every form of cancer at a conference that ended this week....More

End gender bias in clinical trials, and include pregnant women, scientists argue

TORONTO - Pregnant women should be included in clinical trials and drug regulators should make their inclusion a mandatory feature of the approval process for appropriate drugs, a Canadian ethicist is arguing in what is likely to be a controversial proposal....More

Canada cheered, jeered at maternal health conference for G8 initiative

WASHINGTON - An international maternal health confab ended in a difference of Canadian opinion Wednesday — a Conservative cabinet minister basking in claims of praise, her Liberal rival describing an attack on Ottawa's return to "the Dark Ages" by excluding abortion from...More

Autism caused by wide array of rare gene changes; findings point to drug targets

TORONTO - The largest ever attempt to compare the DNA of individuals with autism to people without the condition shows a substantial number of rare genetic changes are involved in the development of the disease....More

Short people might be more susceptible to heart problems, new study says

LONDON - Short people have a 50 per cent higher risk of having a heart problem or dying from one when compared to tall people, a new study says, though weight, blood pressure and smoking habits remain more important factors....More

On-job fatigue highest when shifts start at 11 p.m., study suggests

TORONTO - Delaying the start time for an overnight shift could help late-night workers get more shut-eye off duty and feel less tired on the job, a new study suggests....More

Dozens of pharmacists protest outside dinner attended by premier in Vaughan

VAUGHAN, Ont. - Organizers say about 50 people showed their anger over funding cuts to pharmacies by protesting Tuesday night outside a Liberal dinner attended by Premier Dalton McGuinty....More

Doctors 'very frustrated' by delays repairing Chalk River reactor

OTTAWA - Doctors who rely on medical isotopes to diagnose ailments say they are "very frustrated" it's taking so long to repair a leaky Canadian nuclear reactor....More

Caring for stroke patients costs an average of $50,000 in first 6 months: study

TORONTO - A stroke can rob victims of the ability to speak or move an arm or leg, but a new study shows it also steals from the bank accounts of those afflicted....More

Canada cheap on G8 maternal health, foreign aid: poverty group report

OTTAWA - Canada should be spending hundreds of millions more on its signature G8 maternal health initiative, a major anti-poverty coalition says....More

2010 WORLD CUP: AIDS activists use World Cup's popularity, stars to spread their message

JOHANNESBURG - For health workers, South Africa's World Cup isn't just about soccer....More

Short people might be more susceptible to heart problems, new study says

LONDON - Short people have a 50 per cent higher risk of having a heart problem or dying from one than tall people, a new study says, though weight, blood pressure and smoking habits remain more important factors....More

Honour promise to build Maple reactors to make isotopes, group tells Canada

OTTAWA - The Society of Nuclear Medicine says Canada needs to deliver on a promise of a long-term supply of medical isotopes. Dr....More

Cancer patients need to consider implications of talking about diagnosis

TORONTO - Whether someone newly diagnosed with cancer decides to tell a lot of people — or just a few — is a highly personal decision, says a medical social worker who counsels cancer patients....More

Battling cancer in the public eye: reporter, actor tell their stories

TORONTO - Cynthia Mulligan is being treated for breast cancer. When her blond hair began to fall out she had it cut and went shopping for a wig with her young daughters....More

B.C. massage therapists will have to charge HST on chronic disease patients

VANCOUVER - The NDP says people in B.C. who suffer from chronic diseases and need massage therapy are the latest to be hit by the harmonized sales tax....More

$750 million in fees paid to Ontario pharmacists by drug companies to be axed

TORONTO - Eliminating $750 million in so-called professional allowance fees paid to pharmacists by generic drug companies will lower the cost of medications for consumers, but dispensing fees will rise, Health Minister Deb Matthews said Monday....More

On-job fatigue highest when shifts start at 11 p.m., study suggests

TORONTO - Delaying the start time for an overnight shift could help late-night workers get more shut-eye off duty and feel less tired on the job, a new study suggests....More

Doctors 'very frustrated' by delays repairing Chalk River reactor

OTTAWA - Doctors who rely on medical isotopes to diagnose ailments say they are "very frustrated" it's taking so long to repair a leaky Canadian nuclear reactor....More

Caring for stroke patients costs an average of $50,000 in first 6 months: study

TORONTO - A stroke can rob victims of the ability to speak or move an arm or leg, but a new study shows it also steals from the bank accounts of those afflicted....More

Experimental lung cancer drug shows big promise in early tests

CHICAGO - It's way too soon to declare success, but an experimental drug for lung cancer patients with a certain gene showed extraordinary promise in early testing, doctors reported at a cancer conference on Saturday....More

Big win against skin cancer _ Drug boosts survival in major study

CHICAGO - Researchers have scored the first big win against melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. An experimental drug significantly improved survival in a major study of people with very advanced disease....More

Alta govt to release revised list of unsafe workplaces

EDMONTON - Alberta's minister of employment and immigration says he will release a revised list of companies that might have unsafe workplace practices....More

Undeclared milk in certain 1.5 KG boxes of Uncle Ben's Bistro Express 6 pack.

OTTAWA - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning people with allergies to milk proteins not to consume certain Uncle Ben’s Bistro Express products. The affected 6 packs do not declare milk in the ingredient listings on the outer box....More

Radiation plus hormones boosts prostate cancer survival; new breast cancer drug shows promise

CHICAGO - Doctors are reporting a key advance in treating men with cancer that has started to spread beyond the prostate: survival is significantly better if radiation is added to standard hormone treatments....More

MS patients to launch rights complaints demanding

VANCOUVER - Multiple sclerosis patients in at least two provinces are preparing to launch human rights complaints as they demand access to an unproven treatment that has excited the hopes of people living with the degenerative disease and already prompted some to seek the...More

From plywood to brick, new Kandahar hospital offers another chance at life

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Here, the dying get a second chance. "They hit our doors, they live," said Lt.-Col. Douglas Kromrey, the executive officer of the new Role 3 Hospital at Kandahar Airfield....More

Sexsomnia - sexual acts while asleep - may be more common than thought: study

TORONTO - Some people walk or talk in their sleep. Others even sing while off in the Land of Nod....More

Wait times for long-term care in Ontario triple since 2005: report

TORONTO - Too many people in Ontario are still waiting too long for the medical care they need, the Ontario Health Quality Council said Thursday in its 2010 annual report....More

Skip pre-workout snack if you want to get rid of fat, some scientists say

LONDON - Running on empty may not be such a bad idea after all. Though many athletes eat before training, some scientists say that if you really want to get rid of more fat, you should skip the pre-workout snack....More

Saskatchewan to cover dental implants; help man who lost part of jaw to tumour

REGINA - A Prince Albert man who lost part of his jaw when a tumour was removed has won a fight to change provincial policy on paying for reconstructive surgery....More

Poor alignment between supply and demand of vaccine during H1N1 pandemic: report

TORONTO - Ontario's pandemic vaccine program was a classic case of supply-demand mismatch, a new report on the province's response to the H1N1 outbreak suggests....More

Consumers, docs warned of side-effects seen for stop smoking drug Champix

TORONTO - Health Canada and drug maker Pfizer Canada have issued stronger warnings about the smoking cessation medication Champix....More

Bangladeshi kids who lose a mother more likely to die, study shows

LONDON - For children in Bangladesh, losing a mother — but not a father — can be deadly, a new study says. Researchers in Bangladesh, Britain and the U.S....More

Avoid oily-covered beaches, but a few tar balls are no hazard: experts

ATLANTA - Oil has now washed up on the beaches of three Gulf states. How dangerous is it? Not very, experts say....More

1 in 5 U.S. high schoolers taking medicines without prescriptions: CDC

ATLANTA - A new report shows one in five high school students in the United States have taken a prescription drug that they didn't get from a doctor. The abused drugs include pain pills and attention deficit drugs used as study aids....More

N.S. auditor general slams government's 'pervasive policy of secrecy'

HALIFAX - Nova Scotia's auditor general is accusing the government of fostering a "pervasive policy of secrecy" by ordering departments and agencies to withhold and edit files required to complete audits....More

More U.S. teens use rhythm method birth control, support single motherhood: CDC

ATLANTA - A growing number of teen girls in the United States say they use the rhythm method for birth control, and more teens also think it's OK for an unmarried female to have a baby, according to a government survey released Wednesday....More

Low-dose drug regime seems to avert diabetes in at-risk people, study shows

TORONTO - A low-dose combination of two medications appears to stave off Type 2 diabetes in people at risk of developing the condition, a new Canadian study suggests....More

Java jolt after abstaining brings alertness back to baseline, not higher: study

TORONTO - Frequent coffee drinkers develop a tolerance to its anxiety-producing effects and its effects as a stimulant, a new study suggests....More

Corrected version of May 28 story on contraband tobacco

MONTREAL - The Canadian government says it's ratcheting up efforts to combat contraband smokes _ and, by extension, organized crime groups _ with a new dedicated police unit....More

Cops can't find person who tampered with hospital surgical instruments

KAMLOOPS, B.C. - Mounties say they still don't know who tampered with surgical tools at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, B.C., despite a six-week investigation....More

Canada's human rights record has 'eroded' under Harper government: watchdog

OTTAWA - A leading international rights watchdog has told the Harper government to include abortion in its G8 maternal health initiative while adding the caution that Canada's global reputation on human rights has eroded....More

Poor alignment between supply and demand of vaccine during H1N1 pandemic: report

TORONTO - Ontario's pandemic vaccine program was a classic case of supply-demand mismatch, a new report on the province's response to the H1N1 outbreak suggests....More

Antidepressants during pregnancy linked to higher miscarriage risk: study

TORONTO - Taking an antidepressant during pregnancy may slightly increase a woman's risk of having a miscarriage, a study suggests....More

Alberta New Democrats want government to account for long-term care cuts

EDMONTON - Alberta NDP Leader Brian Mason says budget cuts to long-term care in Alberta are starting to hit home and are hurting the most vulnerable....More

Time to treatment, not type used, key to heart attack response, study finds

TORONTO - Time to treatment, not the type of therapy used, is key to restoring blood flow following a heart attack, a new Quebec study shows....More

Lindsey Lohan's new ankle bracelet uses same technology as Breathalyzer

NEW YORK, N.Y. - If an alcohol-monitoring bracelet can keep celebrities like Lindsay Lohan from drinking, some parents might wonder, Can I get one for my teen? The answer is no....More

Got chocolate milk? Triathlon team happy to recover and party drinking cow juice

It used to be their guilty little secret. Who knew it was good for them? After a hard workout, Olympic champion Simon Whitfield and other top Canadian triathletes would sit around and pour back a few cartons of chocolate milk....More

Food Banks Canada art display features solutions from public on ending hunger

TORONTO - Food Banks Canada is inviting the public to get involved as it taps into the medium of art to raise awareness about hunger....More

Breast cancer genes not worsened by lifestyle factors, many cases preventable

LONDON - Genes that make women more susceptible to breast cancer don't have any link to lifestyle factors that also raise their risk, a new study says....More

Birthplace of medicare eyes private CT scans to cut patient wait times

REGINA - The birthplace of medicare is turning to the private sector for diagnostic imaging in a bid to reduce a backlog of patients waiting for scans....More

New Brunswick Heart Centre providing new valve surgery for high-risk patients

SAINT JOHN, N.B. - High-risk heart patients in New Brunswick now have access to a surgical procedure that was previously unavailable in the province....More

Mapping metabolism during workouts: Quest to improve health benefits of exercise

WASHINGTON - Ten minutes of brisk exercise triggers metabolic changes that last at least an hour. The unfair news for panting newbies: The more fit you are, the more benefits you just might be getting....More

Mapping metabolism during workouts in quest to improve health benefits of exercise

WASHINGTON - Ten minutes of brisk exercise triggers metabolic changes that last at least an hour. The unfair news for panting newbies: The more fit you are, the more benefits you just might be getting....More

Correction to May 26 story on abortion

QUEBEC - The Roman Catholic Primate of Canada is standing by his comments that abortion is unjustifiable, even in the case of rape, and is urging the federal government to help pregnant women keep their child....More

Butting out: Smoking rates decline among young adults, stable among teens

TORONTO - New survey results from Health Canada show smoking rates among young adults declined last year....More

Antidepressants during pregnancy linked to higher miscarriage risk: study

TORONTO - Taking an antidepressant during pregnancy may slightly increase a woman's risk of having a miscarriage, a study suggests....More

Alberta New Democrats want government to account for long-term care cuts

EDMONTON - Alberta NDP Leader Brian Mason says budget cuts to long-term care in Alberta are starting to hit home and are hurting the most vulnerable....More

Food Banks Canada art display features solutions from public on ending hunger

TORONTO - Food Banks Canada is inviting the public to get involved as it taps into the medium of art to raise awareness about hunger....More