Lifelines

Addiction awareness: The Rutland Centre hopes to raise awareness of addiction over the next fortnight.

Addiction awareness: The Rutland Centre hopes to raise awareness of addiction over the next fortnight.

It is hosting public talks with opportunities for questions and answers

at Milltown Park conference centre in Ranelagh, Dublin, starting tomorrow

at 7.30 p.m. The next in the series

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are on Wednesday and Thursday,

with the final talks on October 9th and 13th.

Breast cancer link: Researchers have found a link between recreational physical activity and breast cancer. They found that 50- to 74-year-old women who did the equivalent of 1.25-2.5 hours of brisk walking a week were 18 per cent less likely than inactive women to develop the disease. The effect of exercise was most pronounced in light women.

Neurological care: More than 500,000 Irish people have neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease. A free talk on Thursday at 7 p.m., at O'Reilly Hall at UCD, will look at their future care needs. Speakers include a neurologist and a physiotherapist. You can book a place on 1850-946464.

Prostate tests: Men, especially those over 50, should have regular blood tests to check for prostate cancer, according to a new campaign to raise awareness of the most common male cancer. Warning signs include more frequent than usual passing of urine or pain while doing so. Call 1800-200700 to speak confidentially with a cancer nurse.

Spina bifida support: One baby is born with spina bifida every week in Ireland. Four in five of them have some degree of hydrocephalus, or water on the brain. The Irish Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus is a support group for parents of children with the conditions. Its new website is www.iasbah.ie

Compiled by Dr Muiris Houston and Sylvia Thompson

lifelines@irish-times.ie ]