FORCE's eXamining the Relevance of Articles for You (XRAY) program looks behind the headlines of cancer news to help you understand what the research means for you.
XRAY is a reliable source of hereditary cancer research-related news and information.
Learn more about the XRAY program
Hereditary Cancer Risk
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : New tool to predict breast cancer risk for Black women
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: Black women in the U.S.
An important part of making decisions about breast cancer screening and prevention is knowing your breast cancer risk. Specific tools are used to identify people who would benefit from early and/or additional screening and chemoprevention or those who would most benefit from genetic counseling and testing. Because these tools were developed using data mostly from white women, they are unable to predict cancer risk as well for Black women. To begin to address these gaps, researchers developed a new tool specifically designed to predict breast cancer risk for Black women. This tool has been shown to work well, especially for younger Black women. (posted 3/22/2022) Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: High
Quality of Writing: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Article : Chris Evert's ovarian cancer diagnosis highlights the importance of genetic counseling and testing
Relevance: High
Quality of Writing: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People with genetic test result called a VUS
Tennis star Chris Evert shared her story about a change in her sister's genetic test results that led Ms. Evert to have genetic testing and her decision to have her ovaries removed to lower her cancer risk. Ovarian cancer was found at the time of Ms. Evert’s surgery, but fortunately, it was caught early. Her story highlights the importance of genetic counseling, testing and post-testing follow-up with experts. (Posted 2/8/22). Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Update : Stronger guidance about breast implant safety
Most relevant for: People with or considering breast implants
The FDA issued new guidance for breast implants so that all people with breast implants have the appropriate information to understand and make decisions about their healthcare. Required features include box warning, patient decision checklist, guidelines for screening for implant ruptures and patient device cards. (posted 12/14/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 may increase risk for endometrial cancer
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations
A Dutch study added further evidence that women with a BRCA1 mutation may have an elevated risk for endometrial cancer. The study found that the endometrial cancer in women with either a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation was more likely to be an aggressive form of cancer associated with a poor outcomes. (posted 11/30/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Update : Blood tests called liquid biopsies for cancer screening, monitoring and treatment
Most relevant for: People considering a liquid biopsy to screen for cancer
Could a simple blood test change cancer detection, treatment and monitoring? Several companies are offering a type of blood test known as a liquid biopsy to detect multiple cancers at their earliest stages, monitor response to treatment and help choose the best treatment. Although progress has been made using liquid biopsies to treat cancer, these tests have not yet been shown to detect cancer early enough to save lives. (posted 9/29/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Do sugared beverages increase the risk of early-onset colorectal cancer?
Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: Healthy people with an average colorectal cancer risk
A study of female nurses in the U.S. suggests that a high intake of sugar-sweetened beverages may increase the risk of colorectal cancer before age 50. However, researchers saw few early-onset colorectal cancer cases which limited the findings. (posted 9/21/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Frequency of inherited mutations linked to breast cancer are similar in Black and white women
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: Non-Hispanic Black and white women with breast cancer
The CARRIERS study looked at the rate of inherited mutations in women with and without breast cancer. In an extension of the CARRIERS study, researchers found no difference in the frequency of inherited mutations in breast cancer genes among Black and white women with breast cancer. A few individual genes differed in frequency: BRCA2 and PALB2 mutations were seen more often in Black women, while CHEK2 mutations were seen less often. Researchers concluded that race should not be used to determine who is referred for genetic testing. (posted 8/13/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Cancer risks of people with inherited PALB2 mutations
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: people with inherited PALB2 mutations
In the largest study of people with inherited PALB2 mutations to date, the gene was linked to increased lifetime risk of breast cancer in women and men, ovarian and pancreatic cancer but not prostate or colorectal cancer. (posted 7/1/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Birth control pills may offer long-term protection against endometrial and ovarian cancer
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People concerned about endometrial, ovarian or breast cancer risk
A large study showed that birth control pills may protect against endometrial and ovarian cancers, even years after use was discontinued. (posted 6/1/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Update : FDA allows testing of a vaccine designed to prevent breast cancer
Most relevant for: Patients with non-metastatic triple-negative breast cancer at high risk of recurrence.
Scientists have been working for many years to develop a vaccine that will prevent breast cancer. The FDA recently announced that the first clinical trial to test a preventive breast cancer vaccine can begin. This vaccine is the result of over a decade of research in animals and human cells. While researchers will first test the vaccine in women who have breast cancer, they hope to use this vaccine in the future to prevent breast cancer. (posted 5/25/21)
THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN UPDATED on 10/12/2021: The clinical trial discussed in this XRAY review has begun recruiting participants. Researchers hope to enroll 24 patients with non-metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. The trial is being conducted at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. More information on this trial can be found here.
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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