In Short

Today's other health stories in brief.

Today's other health stories in brief.

Study confirms lifestyle link to breast cancer

Experts have gathered the strongest evidence yet that a woman’s lifestyle is linked to her risk of developing breast cancer.The biggest ever review of research into the issue has concluded that women should limit alcohol intake, take exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.

More than four out of 10 cases of breast cancer could be prevented if women took steps to adopt healthier lifestyles, experts have predicted.

READ MORE

Deciding to breastfeed their babies is another important factor in helping cut the chance of developing the disease.

The latest study, from experts at the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), is an update on its cancer prevention report published in 2007, which looked at many different types of the disease.

Prof Martin Wiseman, medical and scientific adviser for the WCRF, said: “We are now more sure than ever before that by limiting the amount of alcohol they drink, maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active, women can make a significant difference to their risk.”

Swedish Student fined for faking mental illness

A Swedish art student has been fined 2,500 kronor (€244) yesterday for faking mental illness for an art project.

Stockholm District Court convicted 35-year-old Anna Odell of violent resistance and dishonest conduct, but acquitted her of charges of raising a false alarm.

The court said Odell resisted attempts by police and hospital staff to restrain her while she was acting as if she was about to take her own life on a bridge in Stockholm in January.

However, the artist said she was re-enacting a real episode in her life in 1995 and wanted to highlight how patients were treated in psychiatric wards at Swedish hospitals.

The videotaped enactment was harshly condemned by health authorities in Sweden and stirred widespread public debate about the legal boundaries of art.