Long considered the gold standard in screening for colon and rectal cancer, a new study finds that many colonoscopies only find as little as 60% of cancer cases. Dr. Jon LaPook reports.

'Retail Therapy' Reality

Dr. David Sulzer, author of a new study, suggests that when you shop, the brain emits a chemical that makes the body feel good. He speaks to Julie Chen.

Notebook: Colonoscopy

Although recent reports suggest that the colonoscopy exam may have some "blind-spot" setbacks, Katie Couric notes that this test still serves as a highly effective method of detecting colon cancer.

Small Town Cancer Cluster

Many in the small town of McHenry, Ill. have developed the same rare form of cancer and they think they know what's made them sick. Byron Pitts reports.

Breast Cancer And Menopause

A new study reinforces the connection between Hormone Replacement Therapy for women going through menopause and an increased risk of breast cancer. Karen Brown reports.

Making Drinking Water Safe

"Only On The Web:" Director of Procter & Gamble's Children's Safe Drinking Water program, Dr. Greg Allgood demonstrates how to use a special Pur packet which can sanitize drinking water.

Can You Pass A Cold/Flu Quiz?

Test your cold and flu medical knowledge with CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook, who challenges "The Saturday Early Show" team on some common misconceptions about medicine and bacteria.

Drug May Fight Breast Cancer

Developed by researchers in England, an experimental drug called Zometa could help to fight off breast cancer. As Teri Okita reports, medical specialists are eagerly awaiting further findings.

Is It A Cold Or The Flu?

Cold and flu season roll in with the holidays. But how do you know what you have? Dr. Holly Phillips tells Maggie Rodriguez what to look for.

Possible Ban On Asthma Drugs

The FDA is considering a ban of two popular medications, Serevent and Floradil, used by people with asthma. The drugs may cause people to overdose or delay treatment. Dr. Jon LaPook reports.

Asthma Drug Warning

The FDA has ruled that two popular asthma drugs, Servent and Foradil, are not safe for use and may actually worsen asthma in some patients. Dr. Jon LaPook reports.

Fertility Drug Link To Cancer

A new study links fertility drugs that modulate hormones in women with increased risk of cancer but more study is needed, Dr. Holly Phillips tells Maggie Rodriguez.

How To Stop Spreading Germs

Pediatrician Dr. Harley Rotbart gave Harry Smith some hand washing tips to stop the spread of germs and colds.

Oprah's Weight Gain

Obesity expert Dr. Louis Aronne puts Oprah's weight ups and downs into perspective for everyday women. He talked to Julie Chen.

Toxic Toys Remain On Shelves

Plastic toys containing phthalates will be banned starting in February of 2009. However, as public health advocate Elizabeth Hitchcock explains, toys already on shelves will not be pulled.

Do Vitamins Really Work?

A major study has been released showing that Vitamin E and selenium don't prevent prostate cancer, so do vitamins and supplements do us any good? Dr. Jon LaPook reports.

Value Menus Costly To Health

With the economy in turmoil, many are turning to fast food value menus but those meals contain unhealthy amounts of cholesterol and saturated fats. Dietician Keri Glassman explains.

Heart Recipient's Longevity

"Sick Girl" author Amy Silverstein talks to Julie Chen about living well 20 years following heart failure and a transplant.

Eye Drug Lengthens Lashes

The glaucoma medication Lumigan has an attractive side effect: it makes eyelashes longer and thicker. Dr. Robert Cykiert explains.

Keeping A Healthy Brain

Blood flow in the brain can change depending on age and brain damage from drugs or stroke. Harry Smith spoke with Dr. Daniel G. Amen about what can increase blood flow throughout the brain.

Keeping NFL Hearts Healthy

Players in the NFL are heavier than ever before and carry a deadly risk of heart disease. Russ Mitchell has more on some former players who are on a mission to raise awareness about the problem.

Teaching Kids How To Share

The holiday season marks a time for giving, but ?Savvy Mommy? Victoria Pericon points out that children are not born with the instinct to share objects with others. Pericon offers tips for parents.

Networking For A Cure

One woman has taken her crusade against ALS to the Web, creating a social networking site in the hopes of finding a cure. Dr. Sanjay Gupta has more.

The Key To Happiness

New research shows that happiness can be contagious and suggests that if you need an emotional lift hang out with happy people. Maggie Rodriguez talks with psychologist Jennifer Harstein.

Mystery Online Doctor Ratings

Medical insurance companies often rank the quality of doctors for patients to view on the internet. But it remains unclear how the ratings are determined. Dr. Sanjay Gupta investigates.

Family Struck By Silent Killer

One family recounts how carbon monoxide poisoning took the lives of two of their three sons in a single night. Susan Koeppen reports.

New Moms Get Back In Shape

Female boxer Laila Ali stopped by "The Early Show" to give new moms tips for losing baby weight.

Using A P.C. Instead Of M.D.

For many Americans, the convenience of consulting a computer over a licensed physician can be tempting, but are you getting quality medical advice? Dr. Jon LaPook has more.

Zimbabwe Cholera Victims Migrate

A hospital on the South Africa-Zimbabwe border is struggling to cope with the number of patients coming from Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is currently battling a cholera epidemic that has infected more than 11,000 since August.

'Don't Delay Cancer Treatment'

A new study form the Weill Cornell Medical College suggests that elderly women have a higher chance of reoccurring breast cancer when delaying post-surgical radiation. CBS News' Karen Brown reports.

Are Generic Drugs Effective?

Dr. Travis Stork stopped by "The Early Show" to discuss a new study stating that generic drugs are just as safe and effective as brand name drugs.

Media Overload Bad For Kids

Julie Chen spoke with Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel and Common Sense Media's James Steyer about how to protect children from the negative health affects of media like TV and computers.

Depression Linked To Belly Fat

Harry Smith spoke with Dr. Travis Stork of the TV show "The Doctors" about the link between depression and belly fat.

Living With HIV

Marvelyn Brown contracted HIV when she was 19-years-old and now she spends her time mentoring others. She writes candidly in "The Naked Truth" about her experience.

Formula Fears

Two best selling baby formula brands in the U.S. have tested positive for trace amounts of melamine, an industrial chemical, or cyanuric acid. Michelle Miller reports.

Flex Your Spending

Dr. Holly Phillips and Chris Wragge discuss ways to spend your flexible spending account dollars before the year and the money is gone.

The Gift Of Planned Parenthood?

Planned Parenthood in Indiana is offering gift certificates. The organization says the controversial idea was sparked by an increase in calls and visits from the newly unemployed.

Cancer Diagnoses Decrease

A new report found a decrease in new cases of cancer as well as cancer-related deaths. Dr. Jon LaPook attributed the numbers to a drop in smoking which causes lung cancer.

Parasomnia Disorders

Extreme "sleepwalking" or parasomnia, are sleep disorders that can be harmful to you or others if they're not treated, Dr. Robert Basner tells Maggie Rodriguez.

Food Pantry Woes

Los Angeles County food pantries have seen a 41% increase in the number of families who are in need of food. Ben Tracy has more on the thousands who are relying on food pantries.

Is Cancer On The Decline?

With better cancer detection, treatments, and fewer people smoking, cancer statistics are on the decline, but is it all good news? Dr. Jon LaPook has more.

A Meal To Die For

Bill Geist visits the Heart Attack Grill in Chandler, Ariz., where you can almost feel your arteries clogging.

Study: Bad Boss Adds To Stress

Dr. Travis Stork from "The Doctors" talks to Maggie Rodriguez about findings that a bad boss can be bad for your heart. He also offers tips for reducing stress and heart risk.

HealthWatch

There's a new device that may help overweight people who don't want to undergo gastric bypass surgery. Dr. Mallika Marshall has more.

Study: Self-Help Groups Work

Some sort of group therapy is likely to be effective in helping you or someone you know with their addiction, according to a recent study. Dr. Holly Phillips explains to Harry Smith.

Eat And Be Merry, Not Fat

Author of 'The Beauty Diet' Lisa Drayer shows Erica Hill some alternatives to traditional Thanksgiving dishes that will taste just as great without packing on the pounds around your waist.

Tot Helps Mom Deliver Sib

A Surf City, N.C. 6-yr.-old used his shoelace to tie the umbilical cord when his mom unexpectedly delivered at home. Julie Chen spoke to the family.

Recall On Window Blinds

Following the death of one child due to cord design in one brand of blinds, the product is being recalled. Julie Vallese from the Consumer Product Safety Commission explains to Maggie Rodriguez.

Fast Food Sales Up

As the cost of regular groceries gets higher and money tighter, Americans are turning to "cheaper calories," reports Michelle Gielan.

Future Of Bio-Engineering

For the first time, doctors have rebuilt a damaged windpipe using a patient's own stem cells. Dr. Jon LaPook has more on this medical breakthrough.

Painful Medical ID Theft

Thieves are using stolen social security numbers to receive medical care. As Susan Koeppen reports, medical ID theft can ruin credit and raise insurance rates.

Trachea Grown With Stem Cells

A young mother in Spain was given a trachea transplant grown using her body's own stem cells. It's less likely to be rejected by her body, reports Sky News' Thomas Moore.

Teen Goes 4 Mos. Without Heart

A rare transplant failure forced one teen to live with a blood-pumping machine for 118 days until a new heart could be found. Maggie Rodriguez talked to her and her doctor.

New Hope For Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis causes lung problems that claim its victims in the prime of life and there is no cure. But, as Sanjay Gupta reports, now there is new hope.

'Locavores' Trend Takes Root

Increasingly, families are turning to locally grown food for more healthy and 'green' choices, reports Daniel Sieberg.

Beating The Odds

"Only On The Web": Cystic fibrosis survivor Cris Dopher talks about how running has helped his lungs defeat the odds. Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports.

Disabled Veterans Catch Waves

Disabled veterans gathered in San Diego, Calif. for a day of surfing and healing. Hattie Kauffman reports.

Big Bellies Linked To Death

A new study shows belly fat is different from other fat, and doubles the risk of premature death. Harry Smith talks to Dr. Holly Phillips about the findings.

Is Fire Retardant Harmful?

Critics of fire retardant say there are serious long term problems that come with what is a welcome sight to many families trying to save their homes. Bianca Solorzano reports.

Fashionable Four-Eyes

Sama Eyewear's Darin Nathan shows Chris Wragge some frames that are far from Poindexter's glasses.

Working Out 9 to 5

Sarah Robichaud, co-author of ?Working On The Ball,? gives Erica Hill and Chris Wragge some tips on how to stay fit and focused while behind your desk.

Drive-By Flu Shots

People who want to avoid crowded doctor's offices in Maumee, Ohio can now get a flu shot with the ease of ordering fast food. WTOL's Dick Berry reports.

Google Tracks Flu Trends

Google is tracking the searches of its users in an effort to locate where flu season is most prevalent. Mark Strassmann reports.

Notebook: Google The Flu

The search engine Google may become faster at spotting flu outbreaks in the U.S. than the Center for Disease Control. Katie Couric explains.

Dangers Of Child Obesity

Dr. Travis Stork warns that some children suffering from obesity may have clogged arteries that may lead to a possible heart attack before the age of 30.

U.K. Teen Refuses New Heart

The British health system is challenging a young girl's decision not to have a heart transplant after spending much of her life in the hospital for cancer, reports Mark Phillips.

No Sweets For Jack And Jill

Calif. has adopted nutrition guidelines that strictly limit the fat, sugar, and calorie intake of all food sold at schools. John Blackstone reports on how all of this affects the bake sale.

56 Yr-old Births Grandchildren

A 56 year old surrogate grandmother carried and gave birth to her daughter's triplets. Julie Chen spoke with the happy new family.

Heart Attacks And Cholesterol

Even if your cholesterol levels are good, taking a Statin might lower your risk for heart attacks and strokes. Dr. Jon LaPook reports.

Drug May Prevent Heart Attacks

Harry Smith spoke with Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum about how the drug Crestor may prevent heart attacks in patients with slight artery inflammation.

Keeping A Healthy Heart

In a landmark study, doctors are using, for the first time, a cholesterol lowering drug to prevent heart attacks and strokes in patients with normal cholesterol levels. Dr. Jon LaPook reports.

The Cancer Gene

Oncologist and Bioethicist Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel explains to Erica Hill how researchers are now able to indentify and target cancer-specific genes.

Hope For New Cancer Treatment

It is expected that there will be 1.4 million new cancer cases this year. But now there's hope that a new treatment may one day be tailored for a patient based on their DNA. Dr. Jon LaPook reports.

Got Post-Election Blues?

Psychologist Jennifer Hartstein talks to Julie Chen about how to manage your time and conversation when there's no politics to talk about.

HealthWatch

A new study finds the first month after a heart attack remains a period of increased danger for patients. Tara Mergener reports.

Sexy TV And Teen Pregnancy

New research shows that by 16 years old, those who watch a high level of sexy television are twice as likely to be pregnant or father an out-of-wedlock baby. Sandra Hughes reports.

Obesity's Impact On Children

Many obese children are finding that they are taking an increased amount of medications for diseases like diabetes, asthma, and attention deficit disorder. Dr. Jon Lapook reports.

Rick's Walk Across America

Rick Hammersley is 60 years old, a cancer survivor and a diabetic. But 7 months ago he set out to walk across America, and he recently completed the journey at Coney Island, Brooklyn.

HealthWatch

More of the programs teens are tuning into include sexual content and that's affecting how they think and act about sex. Jennifer London reports.

The Flat Belly Diet

A recent survey found that many Americans feel that their problem area is their stomach, but now there's good news. Chris Wragge talks to Liz Vaccariello of Prevention Magazine "The Flat Belly Diet."

Running With Purpose

Paul Nicholls has run the NYC Marathon 3 times since his 2003 Myeloma diagnosis. He founded Team Continuum, which has raised millions for families battling cancer.

Dangerous Moves

A viral video shows an adult swinging a nine-month-old baby like a rag doll. Dr. Alton Barron explains to Maggie Rodriguez all the reasons why this behavior is physically harmful to the child.

Dealing With Sugar Shock

Dr. Holly Phillips has tips for parents to manage their kids' Halloween loot. She also talks to Maggie Rodriguez about how to handle sugar shock and food allergies.

Obama, McCain On Medicare

The poorly funded Medicare program has faced massive deficits and is predicted to go bankrupt by the year 2019. Nancy Cordes finds out where the presidential candidates stand on this issue.

Plastic Bottles Dangerous?

The Science Advisory Panel declared a chemical found in plastic wrap and baby bottles may be dangerous. As Meg Oliver reports, the chemical may affect the development of infants.

Cancer Fight Goes Purple

European researchers have grown a genetically-engineered tomato that's rich in pigment that protects against certain kinds of cancer. Maggie Rodriguez learns more from Professor Cathie Martin.

Preventing Prostate Cancer

Doctors are telling patients to stop taking Vitamin E and Selenium for the prevention of prostate cancer because a new study shows they don't actually work. Dr. Jon Lapook reports.

Can Tomatoes Cure Cancer?

A new variety of tomato has been developed to help in the fight against cancer and results on mice have been successful. Mark Phillips has more.

HealthWatch

New experimental research finds that the elderly should be getting their flu shots in higher doses. Manuel Gallegus has more.

Breast Cancer Op Nightmare

Two patients sue a Conn. hospital charging that their surgeon was a known drug addict, reports Maggie Rodriguez. She spoke to patients Robin Lyons, Annette Batkin and their attorney.

Doctors Commonly Give Placebos

A recent study shows doctors prescribe pills to patients for the benefit of "the placebo effect" almost fifty-percent of the time. Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel from the NIH explains to Harry Smith.

Dieters Go Bananas For Bananas

A fad diet in Japan has those who want to lose some weight going bananas in the morning. The diet calls for bananas and lukewarm water for breakfast and whatever you want for the rest of the day.

HIV Scare Hits High School

A St. Louis, Mo. school district says as many as 50 students may have been exposed to the virus. Harry Smith talks to Normandy School District Superintendent Stanton Lawrence.

Natalie Cole's Health Battle

Entertainment Tonight's Mary Hart sat down with Natalie Cole to discuss her diminishing health. The singer contracted Hepatitis C due to past drug use.

Recipes With Pomegranate Punch

Bon Appetit magazine's Dede Wilson showed Harry Smith how easy and healthy it can be to add pomegranate seeds to a variety of recipes.