f you believe cancer is a disease that strikes from nowhere with little in your control to prevent it, you'd be mistaken on both counts.

A simple blood test which predicts a woman's likelihood of suffering breast cancer is being developed by scientists.

Breast cancer screening for women under 50 should stop in light of growing questions around how beneficial the practice is, health researchers say.

Cancer was the leading cause of death in New Zealand in 2010, accounting for nearly a third of all deaths, writes Simon Sutcliffe. That's an increase of nearly 13 per cent between 2000 and 2010.

A couch potato lifestyle is linked to a significantly greater risk of certain cancers as well as heart disease and diabetes, research has shown.

Fiona Taylor has endured surgeries, terrible pain and other symptoms from cancer, yet manages to find something good in it all.

High factor sunscreen cannot be relied on to protect against the deadliest form of skin cancer, new research suggests.

The poster child for a new cancer campaign thought she was dropping in to the Shortland Street set to meet her favourite TV doctor.

Child Cancer Foundation ambassador Quinn Hautapu gets special treatment behind the scenes of Shortland St Photos by Matt Klitscher/South Pacific Pictures

Why does red meat increase the risk of cancer and is there a safe level of consumption? Expert explains.

The successful trial of a new leukaemia drug could herald the end of chemotherapy as the main weapon against the blood cancer, says an Australian specialist.

A leading scientist and cancer survivor says the disease is overwhelmingly linked to animal products, writes Cherrill Hicks.

A notorious breast cancer gene has been shown to also increase a smoker's risk of developing lung cancer -- by almost double, a study has said.

A UK mother-of-four died after doctors missed 30 chances to diagnose her cervical cancer, an inquest heard.

A bowel cancer screening scheme in north and west Auckland has led to a huge advance in early diagnosis of the potentially fatal disease.

A low-calorie diet may reduce the chances of breast cancer spreading to other parts of the body, a new study has shown.

Women with breast cancer are increasingly asking for removal of both breasts – despite there being no medical reason for the surgery.

Nearly three-quarters of women who have both breasts removed after a cancer diagnosis may be wrong to take the drastic step, a study has suggested.

Sun tanning can be highly addictive and often has more to do with how it makes people feel than with how they look, says a US dermatologist who is visiting Australia.

A doctor who accepted $150,000 from an eccentric dying patient has escaped sanctions by moving to Australia.

The mother of Stephen Sutton, who raised $5.8 million for charity before dying of cancer, has paid tribute to her “courageous, selfless, inspirational son”.

Using a mobile phone for more than half an hour a day over five years can triple the risk of developing certain types of brain cancer, a French study suggests.

Maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption and keeping active can help prevent breast cancer.

One Friday morning, Emma Crowley was eating "pink-themed" cakes and biscuits with work colleagues to raise money for breast cancer.

New research out of Australia suggests bad cholesterol could be helping to spread cancer around the body.