GIVING the cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil to boys will help wipe out the cancer-causing human papilloma virus, the vaccine's inventor says.

Gardasil works by vaccinating against HPV, which has been found to cause cancers of the cervix, penis, anus, mouth and throat. The vaccine's creator, Professor Ian Frazer, said today that trials had shown Gardasil was effective in treating boys.

"There are three reasons to vaccinate the boys. One is to prevent them getting the diseases caused by these viruses, including warts and cancer," he said. Read the Advertiser story.

Human trials of a world-first skin cancer vaccine could start as early as next year. Professor Ian Frazer, who developed the vaccine for cervical cancer, is due to outline his latest skin cancer breakthrough at the Australian Health and Medical Research Congress in Brisbane tomorrow.

The former Australian of the Year will tell the conference the skin cancer vaccine has been successful in animal testing and it could be available to the public within five to 10 years. Read the ABC Online story.

Melbourne scientists hope that a world-first combination drug therapy will revolutionise the treatment of cancer.

Scientists at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research have found that drug-resistant melanoma and colon cancer cells can be successfully treated using a combination of two new drugs. Using mice, scientists combined a cancer inhibitor — a drug that slows the growth of cancer cells — with a drug that harnesses the body's cell-killing machinery to induce the death of the cancer cells. Read The Age story.

A terminally ill woman has won more than $400,000 in damages after routine breast screening failed to detect her cancer.

Christine O'Gorman, 57, whose breast cancer spread to her brain and lungs, sued the Sydney South West Area Health Service for damages and future economic loss after its BreastScreen Service, run out of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, allegedly failed to detect the cancer in her left breast during screenings in 2004 and 2006. Read the Sydney Morning Herald story.

The provision of genetic testing in Australia is "unco-ordinated, inequitable and inefficient", say doctors who are calling on the Federal Government to speed up the introduction of new tests on Medicare and to develop a national system for allocating the most complex tests between a network of laboratories in state public hospitals.

"The time is up on the old system of providing genetic services in Australia. It's worn out," said Beverley Rowbotham, the president of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia. Read the Sydney Morning Herald story.

Moves by food and drink manufacturers to self-regulate junk food advertising targeted at children is too little, too late, say health advocates.

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) on Friday launches a responsible children's marketing initiative, under which manufacturers will vow not to advertise products to children unless they promote a healthy diet and lifestyle. Read the Sydney Morning Herald story.

The Cancer Council is hoping to raise $250,000 in South Australia through its annual Pink Ribbon Day breast cancer research fundraiser today.

About 1,000 South Australian women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. The Council's Brenda Wilson says raising awareness is the key. Read the ABC Online story.

EATING fruit and vegetables can improve the effect of chemotherapy on cancer patients, according to a new study into drug resistance.

The research suggests a new, natural alternative to chemotherapy could be found in foods including apples, cherries, grapes, and even tea and wine. Read The Advertiser story.

THE nation's largest food and drink manufacturers only will be able to advertise "healthy" food on television during peak children's viewing hours from next January 1.

Some of Australia's biggest food companies today will move to address community concern about the prevalence of junk-food advertising directed at children.

Under a Responsible Children's Marketing Initiative to be announced by the Australian Food and Grocery Council, companies only will be allowed to advertise "healthy dietary choices" in TV shows targeted at children aged less than 12.  Read the Advertiser story.