Doctors Hope to Reduce Mastectomies

Doctors hope that new research recommending less invasive surgery for a certain type of breast cancer could also help them reduce the growing number of women opting for mastectomies.

Study Backs Prenatal Spine Fix

Prenatal surgery for spina bifida, one of the most common disabling birth defects, had significantly more benefit than surgery conducted after birth, and allowed some children to walk who otherwise likely couldn't, according to a major study.

GOP Seeks to Block Health Law Funds

House Republicans will use a stopgap spending bill coming to the floor next week as a vehicle to block money for the new health-care law, a top lawmaker said Tuesday.

Study: Teen Suicide Rates Diverge

Teenage girls are about three times as likely as boys to attempt suicide for drug-related reasons, according to an analysis of emergency-room visits.

Node Surgery Can Be Skipped for Some

New research says many breast cancer patients can skip aggressive lymph node surgery without increasing chances for recurrence or death, if their disease shows limited spread.

Taking Time Off to Focus on Fitness

What's Your Workout: Alison Shaw is trading in her job at Hang Seng Bank to focus on achieving three fitness goals, one of which is to run a 126.6-kilometer ultramarathon.

FDA Questions Cancer-Drug Makers

Federal officials questioned companies that make six cancer drugs about their failure to complete follow-up studies they promised to conduct in exchange for accelerated approval.

• Chronic Treatments Bring Long-Term Costs

Health-Law Program Faces Changes

The Obama administration is looking at modifying a workers' long-term-care insurance program included in last year's health-care overhaul, responding to criticism that the program is fiscally unsustainable.

Looking Out for Scoliosis

Research report looks at the latest medical findings, including trying to predict scoliosis by tracking a child's shoe size.

In Search of Alcoholism Genes

Currently, medications for alcoholism work in less than 50% of cases. But genetic research is showing promise in identifying drugs that can help treat alcoholics based on their DNA.

Making Tattoos Fade Away

Aches & Claims looks at tattoo-removal products for at-home use.

Help for Hyperventilating

Researchers are exploring whether patients who are hyperventilating should slow down their breathing to boost the carbon dioxide in their systems.

Obesity Risk for Infants Fed Solids Early

Infants on formula who are fed solid foods before they are 4 months old have a higher risk of becoming obese by age 3 than those starting later, Harvard researchers said.

Health Foes Try Divergent Tactics

States challenging the massive health-care law enacted last year are employing different tactics in their push for swift Supreme Court review of their legal cases.

Justice Dept. Wants Public Release of Tobacco Warning Statements

The Justice Department plans to ask a federal judge to make public the proposed statements the government wants tobacco companies to publish about the dangers of their products.

Senate Votes Down Health-Care Repeal

The Senate voted against repealing the health-care overhaul but approved a measure eliminating a tax requirement that had irked small businesses.

House GOP Weighs Medicare Limits

House Republicans are debating whether to propose new limits on the growth of Medicare and other entitlement programs, weighing a gamble that voters are more concerned about trimming the deficit than holding on to promised benefits.

• Senate Votes Down Health-Care Repeal