Lucy Cooke: ‘I loved to drink, smoke and have a good time. Getting cancer at 45 marked an end to that’

The zoologist talks about how breast cancer was a positive experience for her, and how she’s now a lot healthier thanks to the joys of gardening

Homeopathy is quackery plain and simple, whatever the royal family says

Why do some GPs persist in prescribing watered-down, inactive substances?

It’s right to tax sugar – but there are many reasons we yearn for something sweet

Even if we are one day able to limit the damage caused by sugar, we all know its power will endure

Losing my mum to breast cancer defined my radiography career

As she went through treatment, it was clear that I wanted to specialise in breast cancer. I hope she’s proud of the person I’ve become

Obese couples could be risking health of future children, studies say

Diet and lifestyle during the ‘pre-conception’ period can profoundly affect the child’s development, researchers find

Seven ways … to prevent bowel cancer

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the developed world – but mortality has decreased by 30% in the past 20 years

Love Island and other shows ‘encourage teenagers to smoke’

Reality TV series and major films expose young people to tobacco imagery, MPs told

Extra glass of wine a day ‘will shorten your life by 30 minutes’

Drinking is as harmful as smoking, and more than five drinks a week lowers life expectancy, say researchers

What is Britain eating? The ultra-processed truth about 10 of our bestselling foods

From Cherry Bakewells to Fray Bentos pies, do we really understand the cocktail of ingredients in our favourite brands? Nutritionists assess them – and just what they might mean for our health

Doctors knew my son was suicidal. I should have been told before he died

I was denied the chance to be there for my son when he needed me the most