Health Buzz: Breast Cancer That Vanishes and Other Health News

Study: Some Breast Cancer Tumors May Go Away

Is it possible for breast cancer tumors to disappear on their own, without medical intervention? A controversial article published in the Archives of Internal Medicine suggests that in some cases, the answer may be yes. A childhood breast cancer tumor called a neuroblastoma sometimes goes away on its own, and researchers were looking into whether invasive breast cancers might also regress, USA Today reports. The researchers compared the number of breast cancers diagnosed in 100,000 Norwegian women who were screened every two years with the number found in a group of women who were screened once in six years. Doctors diagnosed 22 percent more breast cancers in women who were screened more frequently. That, the study authors say, suggests that more frequent screening found cancers that would eventually go away and did not need to be treated, according to USA Today.

Last week, U.S. News's Deborah Kotz listed seven things to consider if breast cancer runs in your family. In August, she discussed how to prepare for sex after breast cancer.

A Microchip to Track HIV/AIDS?

Leaders in Indonesia's Papua province say they support a bill that would require some people with HIV/AIDS to get a microchip implant, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. The bill—which targets "sexually aggressive" patients—is part of extensive efforts to monitor the disease. Lawmakers say they hope the microchips will enable them to track and punish people who deliberately infect other people with HIV/AIDS. The bill is expected to pass, and it could become law next month.

Last month, Lindsay Lyon discussed how people can use an E-card to inform sexual partners of STD exposure. U.S. News recently described the epidemic of HIV among black women and told how one young woman battles the virus. Earlier this year, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommended HIV testing for most adult women.

Lean Cuisine Alternatives

If last week's recall of Lean Cuisine frozen meals has derailed your lunch plans, take heart. "You don't have to go to frozen dinners to have quick and easy meals," says Lona Sandon, a registered dietitian in Dallas and a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. U.S. News's Nancy Shute lists four good alternatives to Lean Cuisine frozen meals.

In October, Katherine Hobson described eight fixes nutritionists want to see on food labels. Earlier, she provided 10 easy recipe swaps to help you lose weight.

—January W. Payne

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