If you live in Australia, Sweden, or Canada, you may have a better chance of living longer after being diagnosed with breast, colorectal, ovarian, or lung cancer compared to two other European countries, according to a study published in the journal Lancet.

Researchers from the International Benchmarking Partnership reviewed survival rates of the four cancers in Australia, Canada, Sweden, the United Kingdon, Norway, and Denmark. According to the study, Denmark and the United Kingdom had lower overall survival rates than other countries in the study.

"The overall goal of the study is...to study these differences in survival in such a way that we understand what causes them and can generate an evidence base for policy to reduce them," said Professor Michel Coleman of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.  Coleman spoke during a press conference with other researchers representing the International Benchmarking Partnership. FULL POST

Health insurance companies trying to bump up rates by more than 10 percent will have to answer to federal regulators, according to a new plan announced by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Tuesday.  The proposed rule explains how the government will oversee insurers as required by the massive health care bill – the Affordable Care Act – that was signed into law this spring.

After 2011, regulators will decide on a state-by-state basis which rates will be reviewed.

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Fewer teen girls had babies in 2009 than in previous years, according to statistics released today by the Centers for Disease Control. The report also finds that fewer American women overall are giving birth.

The report, compiled by the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, is based on birth records collected in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. Among the highlights:

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Our 8-year-old daughter was diagnosed with ADHD at age 6. We have tried several medications, stimulants and nonstimulants, and have not gotten good results. We are now looking at homeopathic treatment for our daughter, but the question is: Does it really work? FULL POST

Katherine Wolf's life changed in a split second, when a brain bleed nearly killed her. Here is her story in her own words.

At 26 years old, I was living out my dreams in Los Angeles, with my husband, Jay, and 6-month old baby, James.

All that would change on April 21, 2008, when I nearly died of a massive brain stem stroke.

Defying all odds, I survived and am fighting for my recovery while battling many significant deficits to this day. As a result of my stroke and lifesaving brain surgery, I was left unable walk, talk, or swallow, with severe double vision and right ear deafness, as well as right side facial paralysis and lack of fine motor coordination in my right hand. FULL POST

During the holiday season, a few things always happen: I spend too much, eat too much and drink too much. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, we run around town going to office parties and open houses. The food is plentiful and the drink abounds.

We all know how awful we feel the day after we overindulge in our favorite alcoholic beverage, but I don’t think everyone understands how it whacks our sleep, and that it has more than one negative effect.

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