All XRAYs

Study : Do Vitamin B supplements alter breast cancer risk for women with BRCA mutations?

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

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Most relevant for: High risk women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation

Vitamins are an essential part of our diet. Vitamin supplements are often used to improve general health. This study explores how vitamin B supplements may affect breast cancer risk in women with BRCA mutations. (5/17/19)

Study : Smart drug shows promising results for treatment of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Human Research

Most relevant for: People with metastatic, triple-negative breast cancer

THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN UPDATED on 04/27/20:  Based on the results from the study reviewed in this XRAY, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved sacituzumab govitecan-hizy (Trodelvy), as a treatment for people with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer who have received at least two prior therapies for metastatic disease. 

We report results of an early-stage clinical trial of a new class of drugs for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). IMMU-132 is a combination of two different molecules: an antibody that targets certain types of cancer and delivers a chemotherapy drug that can kill cancer cells. This study looks at whether IMMU-132 is safe and effective for treating metastatic TNBC. (4/16/19)

Guideline : Breast surgeons recommend genetic testing for all breast cancer patients

Relevance: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

Most relevant for: Anyone diagnosed with breast cancer

The American Society of Breast Surgeons published statement on genetic testing for hereditary breast cancer on February 10, 2019. It includes recommendations about who should be tested. Among these is the recommendation that all breast cancer patients get genetic testing, as well as women who do not have breast cancer but fit the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. (3/25/19)

Study : Gaps in information about breast cancer risk and prevention impact African American women

Relevance: High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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Most relevant for: African American women who are at high risk for breast cancer

A study showed that African American women with increased breast cancer risk experienced greater burdens in obtaining information at each step compared to white women. Racial differences in preventive choices correlated with differences in information and provider access. (3/14/19)

Study : Prevalence of BRCA founder mutations in Bahamian women

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

Most relevant for: Bahamanian women

The Bahamas has the highest known frequency of BRCA mutations among people diagnosed with breast cancer. This study reviewed whether population-based BRCA testing (testing everyone regardless of family or personal history of cancer) would be an effective approach for finding mutation carriers in the Bahamas. (3/4/19)

Study : Breast cancer implant study suggests links with illness but has serious flaws

Relevance: Medium-Low

Strength of Science: Low

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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Most relevant for: Women with or considering breast implant reconstruction

THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN UPDATED: In October 2021, the FDA issued guidance for people with breast implants Read our latest review on this topic.  

An article in the Annals of Surgery, researchers conclude that their work supports an association between silicone breast implants and a range of conditions. This journal article was accompanied by two editorials in which experts voiced their disagreement with the way the analysis was performed and the conclusions of the authors. (2/21/19)

Article : Promise of a cure for cancer is too good to be true

Relevance: Low

Research Timeline: Lab Research

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Most relevant for: People diagnosed with cancer

The Jerusalem Post published an article titled, “A cure for cancer?  Israeli scientists may have found one.” The story profiled a small Israeli company called Accelerated Evolution Biotechnologies that has been working on developing new cancer treatments since 2000. The article relied almost entirely on an interview with the company’s chairperson of the board who made a series of unsubstantiated claims that included that, in a year’s time, the company will offer a complete cure for cancer. (2/12/19)

Article : The cost of cancer care and impact of financial hardship on treatment

Relevance: High

Quality of Writing: High

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Most relevant for: Anyone diagnosed with cancer

Several recent studies on the cost of cancer care show the negative effects on cancer patients. We review an article by Kaiser Health News and associated studies about the financial impact of breast cancer treatment and cost of precision medicine. (2/8/19)

Study : The impact of palbociclib (Ibrance) on overall survival for metastatic breast cancer patients in the PALOMA-3 trial

Relevance: High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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Most relevant for: People with metastatic, hormone-positive breast cancer

The PALOMA-3 clinical trial showed that a new CDK4/6 inhibitor in combination therapy improved progression-free survival of women treated for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer in women with prior disease progression after endocrine therapy. This XRAYS reviews a newly published study in the New England Journal of Medicine that looks at overall survival in the original PALOMA-3 study. (1/23/19)

Study : FORCE online survey: What breast cancer information do young women want and where do they look for it?

Relevance: Medium-High

Most relevant for: Young women and the health care providers who treat them

FORCE developed the CDC-funded Examining Relevance of Articles to Young Survivors or XRAYS program to help young breast cancer survivors and those at high-risk better understand media coverage about new breast cancer research. To ensure that the program would be responsive to users’ needs, FORCE designed a web-based survey to assess where young women look for information about breast cancer and to learn their unmet information needs.  The results of this survey were published in the journal Health Communications. (1/18/19)