Seniors face conflicting advice on whether to go for cancer tests

Arthur Cohen was a healthy, active 85-year-old when his Toronto doctor recommended a colonoscopy to check for early signs of colorectal cancer.

Healthy Switch

A simple change may do you good.

If you've started using antibacterial soap, switch back to the regular variety. According to the Mayo Clinic's Web site, antibacterial soap is not more effective and it may even cause germs to build up resistance, making it harder to kill them in the future.

Check It Out: Valley health happenings

PARENTING

Health briefs

Following is a list of upcoming health events scheduled in the area.

Today through Nov.9

Swine flu vaccine trickles in

As hospitals and clinics across the Valley continue administering the few swine flu vaccinations available to the area's highest-risk residents, including infants, pregnant women and frontline health care workers - the question on everyone's mind seems to be: when will vaccines be made available to the general public?

House Democrats unveil health bill

WASHINGTON - After six months of dealmaking, Democratic leaders introduced Thursday a health-care reform bill that would expand coverage to almost all Americans and overhaul the insurance industry, while asking the wealthiest taxpayers to pay much of the tab.

Swine flu closes hundreds of schools

CHICAGO - The number of students staying home sick with the flu is multiplying nationwide and normally quiet school nurses' offices suddenly look like big city emergency rooms, packed with students too ill to finish the day.