A major insurer has pulled an about-turn on breast reconstruction costs that had left cancer patients financially and physically distressed.

Even the Prime Minister has been called out. After having a bucket of icy water poured over his head, Christchurch real estate identity Mike Pero nominated John Key to take the challenge for charity.

Lydia Ko has taken the ice bucket challenge, the social media craze that has raised millions for charity.

Scientists now believe the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis could be used to reduce tumour growth in cancer patients. But, they say, don't self medicate.

A woman undergoing chemotherapy says she felt humiliated after being turned away from a Hamilton casino because she didn't have a doctor's note saying she needed to wear a hat.

A Danish study has found the Gardasil vaccination does not increase the risk of blood clots despite initial concerns of a link between the two.

Middle aged men who spend nine hours a week on their bike are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, new research suggests.

Lowering cholesterol with statin drugs could help prevent breast cancer, new research suggests

I'm sure a number of you have been tapped up by earnest, clear-eyed friends who've pledged to go "dry" for July as a fundraising initiative to help adults with cancer.

Two years ago the International Agency for Research on Cancer categorised diesel exhaust fumes as class one carcinogens in the same category as asbestos, arsenic and cigarette smoke.

Some well-known Kiwis will join thousands embarking on a hangover-free month from today.

Auckland has become the nation's first city to ban under-18s from using sunbeds, and commercial sunbed operators will now need a licence.

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.

Cutting out one portion of red meat every day and replacing it with chicken can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by almost a fifth, a study suggests.

Scientists have called for more research into hair dyes and perming products to assess whether they contain a harmful substance which has been linked to causing cancer.

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.