11/1/2004 Birmingham, England Emma Brady The Birmingham Post A common virus that causes glandular fever may contain clues to what causes some cancers, researchers have found. Scientists at Birmingham University believe the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which millions of people carry without knowing, can be manipulated to treat tumours more effectively. The study also revealed that a non-prescription painkiller can block the development of some cancers. Hodgkin's lymphoma, gastric and nasal cancer are among the types which researchers have found can be treated preventatively after discovering how EBV triggers cancerous growths. The virus was discovered 40 years ago and occurs worldwide, infecting most people early in life. EBV can then remain a dormant infection in some cells of the body's immune system, usually without causing any harm. Professor Lawrence Young, head of cancer studies, said: "This study helps us to under-stand how the virus contributes to the development of cancer in people with EBV. "It gives us a possible new way of treating these cancers. "These findings will also be relevant to how we develop new therapies for other types of head and neck cancer. "EBV is one of the most common virus infections, it causes glandular fever, but that doesn't mean anyone who has had glandular fever will develop cancer." In the 1960s the mortality rate for heart transplant patients was very high, but Prof Young said this is not due to the organ being rejected. "In those cases, the heart was rejected but because their immune system was low [...]

11/1/2004 Liverpool, England Catherine Jones Liverpool Echo The emotional trauma caused by smoking deaths is at the heart of a new drive launched today. Health chiefs estimate that one million people a year are left bereaved when a loved one dies of a smoking-related disease. A TV advert featuring Bootle smoker Anthony Hicks, 58, is being relaunched as part of the Don't Give Up Giving Up campaign in the run-up to Christmas. The father of two had head and neck cancer as a result of his 20 to 40-a-day habit. He died shortly after the hard-hitting television advert - featuring him in a hospital bed struggling to breathe - was filmed, and before he was able to see daughter Alexandra, who lives in America. New national print adverts carrying the slogan "the effects of smoking always hit home" will show photographs of Mr Hicks with family during happier times. His other daughter Kirsten, 22, has said: "The last time I saw him alive was on a TV screen in December, as I watched the tape of the advertisement. "I sat watching and tears streamed down my face." It is the first time the campaign has addressed the impact of smoking beyond physical health. An estimated 120,000 people die of smoking related diseases each year, 1,000 in Liverpool. NHS Smoking Helpline adviser Marie Murray said: "The impact of smoking is like four double-decker buses crashing and killing everyone on board, every day. "That means every year about a million people - [...]