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Adding other tests to a mammogram may help to find more breast cancers in some high-risk women, a new study suggests. The study included nearly 2,700 women. All of them had dense breast tissue, which increases breast cancer risk. Each woman also had at least one other factor that increased her risk, such as certain genes. Everyone received a mammogram and an ultrasound each year for 3 years. On average, for every 1,000 women, the ultrasound found 4.3 cancers each year that the mammogram did not find. Some of the women also agreed to have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. This was done soon after the third annual mammogram. For every 1,000 women, the MRI found 14.7 additional cancers. However, the ultrasound and MRI tests also increased the number of false-positive results. These were suspicious results that turned out not to be cancer.

Some children with autism can become much more able to function over time, a new study finds. And the mother’s race and education make a big difference in which children improve. Researchers reached these conclusions based on records for nearly 7,000 California children. They looked at how well kids were able to function when they were diagnosed. They were divided into low, medium and high function groups based on their symptoms. The focus was on 3 areas. How well did they communicate? Could they get along with others and have friends? Did they have many repeated behaviors? Researchers also tracked changes over time. Most children improved in communication and social skills. Repeated behaviors tended to stay the same. But about 10% improved so much that they moved from low to high functioning.

About 15% to 25% of breast cancers found after a mammogram do not need to be treated, a new study estimates. But no one knows for sure which tumors are the bad ones. So some women get treatment they don’t need, the study authors say. The study looked at results of a mammogram screening program in Norway. Women ages 50 to 69 were offered testing every 2 years. Some areas of the country began regular screening earlier than others. Researchers compared cancer rates in areas that started early with those that started later. They estimated that the program prevented 1 death from breast cancer for every 2,500 women offered screening. But they also estimated that 6 to 10 women of every 2,500 got treatment they didn’t need. The journal Annals of Internal Medicine published the study. The Associated Press wrote about it April 3.

A bedside genetic test can predict which drugs will work best in heart patients. About 200 people were in the study. All of them had angioplasty to open a clogged artery. Half received a genetic test to see if they would respond to the drug clopidogrel. People who would not respond were given other drugs. The other half were all given standard treatment with aspirin and clopidogrel. The bedside genetic test identified all of the people who would not respond to clopidogrel. In the other group, 30% did not respond to clopidogrel. This is the first study to validate a bedside genetic test for personalization of drug therapy. It was published in the Lancet March 29. HealthDay News wrote about it.