Regular and moderate drinking throughout the week confers a low risk  of IHD whereas binge drinking is associated with a higher risk, a study comparing drinking habits in France and the UK has found. Binge drinkers had almost twice the risk of MI or coronary death compared with regular drinkers.

The debate on PSA screening to detect prostate cancer is ongoing. Two large studies published in 2009 gave an unclear message. The European ERSPC trial showed a significant reduction in prostate cancer mortality as a result of screening but with a significant risk of overtreatment in order to save lives (48 additional patients requiring treatment for each life saved). The American PLCO study showed no benefit from screening, but has been criticised for the large amount of PSA testing outside the study in the control arm, contaminating the results and potentially diluting any benefit.A meta-analysis incorporating these two studies and four other randomised controlled trials (a total of 387,286 men), published in the BMJ, has examined the overall evidence for PSA screening. [With external links to current evidence and summaries]

A study in the BMJ has found a significant reduction in the incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) since smoke-free legislation was introduced in England on 1 July 2007.There have been many studies including meta-analyses showing that passive smoking increases the risk of coronary heart disease and this risk could be increased by as much as 60%, similar to that seen in light smokers. The mechanism of such effects is thought to be through increases in platelet aggregation and alterations in endothelial function. These effects can occur very rapidly and as such the benefits of reducing smoke exposure could be seen quite early.

The GMC (UK) has published important guidance on the treatment and care of patients who are likely to die within the next 12 months. The guidance takes account of the Mental Capacity Act, case law, the Government's end of life care strategy and GMC guidance on consent. It provides a framework for making decisions which are often clinically complex and may present ethical dilemmas, and for the first time provides guidance on advance care planning.