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E-cigarettes are "definitely" less harmful than smoking tobacco, health bodies in Scotland stated for the first time in September.

NHS Health Scotland said it wanted to "clarify" confusion around the harms and benefits of vaping devices.

More than 20 organisations have signed up to the consensus, which was led by NHS Health Scotland.

But health chiefs said that using e-cigarettes while still smoking did not provide any health benefits.

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Young women are avoiding getting smear tests because they are embarrassed by the look and smell of their pubic areas, a survey suggests.

The charity Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust surveyed 2,017 British women.

A third said embarrassment caused them to delay getting a smear test, which can prevent 75% of cervical cancers.

The charity said cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women under 35,, external yet almost two-thirds of those surveyed weren't aware they're most at risk.

A total of 220,000 British women are diagnosed with cervical abnormalities each year.

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Death rates from cancer are 61% higher in the most deprived areas of Scotland, according to figures published in October.

NHS Scotland, external found living in a poor area affected your chance of survival despite an 11% drop in the number of deaths from all cancers since 2006.

There were also 27% more cancers diagnosed in deprived areas compared with the most affluent last year.

Campaigners have called for more to be done to understand and address the disparity.

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"Research is vital, absolutely vital", says Lib Dems MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton.

Talking about a recent visit to a research facility, he notes several research fellows are from the EU and expresses concern about the impact of Brexit.

He ends by discussing palliative care, stating people have the right to die with dignity.

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Alcohol was a factor in more than 3,700 deaths in a single year in Scotland, according to new research.

Findings from NHS Health Scotland show that drink was involved in more than 1,000 deaths from cancer in 2015.

It was also linked to hundreds of deaths from conditions such as liver disease, as well as accidental injuries.

In addition, more than 41,000 people were admitted to hospital as a result of consuming alcohol, the study found.

Read more here.

Green MSP Alison Johnstone says her party supports "strong regulatory measures" to tackle the obesogenic environment.

She calls for a ban on fast food takeaways being opened in the vicinity of schools, as has happened in London.

Chronic stress has an impact on people's health she says, and suggests a psychological approach to tackling obesity may be useful.

Stigma around obesity must also be tackled, Ms Johnstone argues, noting obese women are less likely to attend screenings.

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SNP MSP Tom Arthur thanks Richard Lochhead for bringing this debate and sharing the personal experience of himself and his wife.

Mr Arthur says "We are all guilty of not necessarily taking care of ourselves."

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The BBC report last May that almost 5,000 cases of bowel cancer in Scotland over the last decade have been caused by obesity, according to a leading charity.

The findings have been described by Cancer Research UK as a "huge worry".

There are around 3,800 cases of bowel cancer diagnosed in Scotland each year and about 1,600 people die from the disease annually.

Obesity is linked to 13 types of cancer and Cancer Research UK said resistance to insulin, a hormone important in the breakdown of food, is one likely explanation.

The charity has called for restrictions on offers for unhealthy food and more done to encourage healthier lifestyles.

Labour MSP Anas Sarwar commits his party to working closely with the Scottish government in tackling obesity head on.

He notes affordability is a top issue, as is making healthy food more attractive to children.

Inequality, speed of diagnosis and speed of treatment must also all be addressed, he says.

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The promotion of food and drink high in fat, sugar and salt is to be restricted in Scotland, ministers confirmed in October.

The Scottish government plans the move as part of its new diet and obesity strategy to help people lose weight.

Ministers also want to see the broadcast of TV adverts for unhealthy food banned before the 21:00 watershed.

Cancer Research UK said it was "great to see a range of bold proposals" in the strategy, saying that Scotland has been "in the grip of an obesity epidemic for far too long".

Read more.

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SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson says his twin sister was diagnosed with very aggressive breast cancer and had to be operated on within 48 hours of dignosis.

Thankfully she has since fully recovered, he says.

Mr Gibson says World Cancer Day is this Sunday and it is important to think about what can be done to tackle it.

He cites the importance of early intervention in tackling cancer via screening programmes.

Image source, World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day 2018, external takes place on Sunday 4 February.

It aims to raise awareness and education about the disease, as well as press governments and individuals to take action.

This year's tagline is "We can. I can." to highlight the part everyone can play in reducing cancer.

8.8 million people die from cancer worldwide every year.