Study offers evidence that colonoscopy cuts colon cancer death risk

LOS ANGELES - Millions of people have endured a colonoscopy, believing the dreaded exam may help keep them from dying of colon cancer. For the first time, a major study offers clear evidence that it does.

FDA panel supports wight-loss drug

SILVER SPRING, Md. - A previously rejected weight loss pill won an overwhelming endorsement from public health advisers Wednesday, raising hopes that the drug from Vivus Inc. could become the first new anti-obesity medication to reach the U.S. market in more than a decade.

Shortages of two drugs for cancer set to ease

TRENTON, N.J. - Federal regulators have approved new suppliers for two crucial cancer drugs, easing critical shortages that had been ratcheting up fears that patients, particularly children with leukemia, would miss lifesaving treatments.

Hepatitis C deaths on rise; baby boomers most at risk

WASHINGTON - Deaths from liver-destroying hepatitis C are on the rise, and new data shows baby boomers especially should take heed - they are most at risk.

New health insurance co-ops win federal loans

WASHINGTON - Seven organizations will receive a total of $639 million in federal low-interest loans to launch new, consumer-governed health insurance plans in eight states, the federal government announced Tuesday.

John Engel: The silver lining - appreciating the gifts of illness

It’s Friday, 2:55 p.m., and my cell phone vibrates. When I see it’s the director of Zoe’s preschool calling, a pit forms in my stomach.

In the past month, half the town has been sick with one malady or another. Just two weeks ago we weathered a weeklong respiratory virus that knocked out three members of our family. We considered ourselves fortunate since the bodily fluids involved only required a few boxes of tissues. Just this past weekend, we had all returned to 100 percent.

Mother of three battles diabetes with change in diet

Maria Medina's life is littered with the destruction of diabetes.

Her neighbor had a foot amputated because of the disease. Her mother went blind from it. Her sister died of it.