Organ Donations, Dyes Cancer, Smoking Guidelines | News

Organ Donations, Dyes Cancer, Smoking Guidelines

Maureen Fitzgerald,

May 9, 2008, 8:55 AM EDT

New York City is getting ready to do something that no other city in the US has done before.

In just a few months, it'll dispatch the first rapid organ recovery ambulance.

There are tens of thousands of people who need life-saving organs.

But, there aren't enough organs. Donors, there are,

But, the problem is, unless those donors are living or die in the hospital, then their organs can't be used.

Hence, the rapid organ recovery team.

Basically, they would help buy time.

They would come in and properly preserve the body, giving the person's family a chance to at least consider donation, without the organs going to waste. Remember, decades ago, the maker of m-and-m took its red candies off the market after the red dye in them was linked to cancer.

They're back, and have been for a while.

But, just now, we are learning, the science behind that decision may have been flawed.

Researchers now say, some food dyes including blue number two and red number 40, which M&M uses, may actually fight cancer.

Scientists at Oregon State University fed rainbow trout a type of poison linked to liver cancer ...then fed the trout the dyes.

And the dye-eating trout ended up with fewer liver tumors.

Obviously, a lot more research needs to be done before and dye-type cures may be on the market. We all know the health risks associated with smoking.

And, it's clear, for a lot of people; the toughest part is trying to kick the habit.

This morning though, the U.S. Public Health Service has some new recommendations for those trying to quit. It says, seven medications have proven effective in dramatically increasing your chances of quitting.

And, it says nicotine gum, and the nicotine patch coupled with counseling are the best way to break the bad habit.