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
Categories Racial and Ethnic Differences
Update : Cancer disparities: Colorectal cancer in African Americans
Most relevant for: African Americans concerned about colorectal cancer
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) released a 2020 report about cancer disparities among racial and ethnic groups in the United States. In this XRAY review, we highlight data from the report about the burden of colorectal cancer in African Americans, who have the highest rates of diagnosis and death related to the disease among all racial and ethnic groups. (Posted 4/27/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Insulin resistance linked to differences in breast cancer survival between Black and White women
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Human Research
Most relevant for: Black women
Black women are more likely to die from breast cancer compared to White women. More Black women have a condition called insulin resistance than White women. This study found that insulin resistance might be one of the reasons that Black women are more likely than White women to die from breast cancer. Additional research is needed to see if lowering insulin levels will improve breast cancer survival in Black women. (07/30/20)
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Study : Racial and ethnic differences in genetic testing among young breast cancer survivors
Most relevant for: Women diagnosed with breast cancer at age 50 or younger
Genetic testing is recommended for most women who are diagnosed with breast cancer at age 50 or younger. In this study of young women with breast cancer, while the rates of genetic testing did not differ, the rates of women testing positive for an inherited mutation associated with breast cancer did vary between racial and ethnic groups. (2/27/20)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-Low
Study : Do hair dyes or straighteners increase breast cancer risk?
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-Low
Most relevant for: Young women who use hair dye or straighteners
Many women use products to color or straighten their hair. A large U.S. study linked the use of permanent hair dye and straighteners to increased breast cancer risk, particularly among black women. This XRAY reviews the limitations of this study and highlights the need for additional research before accepting these conclusions. (1/29/20)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Quality of Writing: Medium-High
Personal Story : A young woman's story of genetic testing and risk-reducing mastectomy
Relevance: Medium-High
Quality of Writing: Medium-High
Most relevant for: Young women of color with a BRCA mutation
Alejandra Campoverdi comes from a family with three generations of breast cancer. As a former White House aide and active educator in the Latina community, she has openly shared her story of genetic testing, her BRCA2 mutation and her plans for risk-reducing mastectomy at age 39. (6/6/19)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
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
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)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
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)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Inherited breast cancer in Nigerian women
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: Nigerian women or women of Nigerian descent who have breast cancer
A new study shows that among Nigerian women, one in eight cases of breast cancer is due to an inherited mutation in BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2 or TP53. (12/5/18)
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Article : The importance of racial diversity in clinical trials
Most relevant for: People who are a member of a racial or ethnic minority group
This article by journalists Caroline Chen and Riley Wong looks at racial disparities between participation in clinical trials and the population of people with cancer. (11/6/18)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Surgeon attitude impacts rate of genetic testing after a breast cancer diagnosis
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: Young women diagnosed with breast cancer who have not yet had genetic testing
A study in JAMA Surgery this year examined the factors that impact genetic testing after a breast cancer diagnosis. This study suggests that the attitudes of attending surgeons about genetic testing have the most impact on whether patients receive testing. (10/6/18)
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