Cyclin E is a regulator of the cell cycle that affects the behaviour of breast cancer cells. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine (2002;347:1566-75 reports that concentrations of total cyclin E and low molecular weight cyclin E in tumour tissue correlate strongly with survival in breast cancer patients, regardless of axillary lymph node status. In this retrospective analysis, tumour tissue was assayed from 396 patients, and median follow up was 6.4 years. If these findings are confirmed prospectively, they have important implications for treatment.

It's apparently not that easy to diagnose Parkinson's disease in the community. As part of a London based prevalence study, an analysis reveals that at least 15% of people who have been diagnosed as having Parkinson's probably don't fulfil strict criteria for the disease. A further 20% who have sought medical attention probably do have the disease, but haven't been given a diagnosis (Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry 2002;73:529-34)

When people tackle their smoking habit, they obviously hope that stopping will have an impact on their health. The findings of a Danish population study that …