FORCE's eXaming 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.
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Trodelvy clinical trial results likely practice-changing for people with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
Most relevant for: People with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
The ASCENT study confirmed an earlier study and showed that the smart drug sacituzumab govitecan-hizy (Trodelvy) improves outcomes for people with previously treated metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. These results further support the use of Trodelvy as a standard therapy for patients with pretreated metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. (11/20/20)
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Relevance: Medium-Low
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Animal Studies
Study : The buzz about honeybee venom: Promising early research to treat breast cancer
Most relevant for: People with breast cancer particularly those with HER2-positive or triple-negative breast cancer.
Early research showed that melittin, an ingredient in honeybee venom, may be used to treat HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancers. This study found that melittin can kill cancer cells. The chemotherapy drug docetaxel more effectively killed breast cancer cells in mice when combined with melittin. It is not known whether melittin would be safe or affect cancer growth in people. While promising, more research must be done before melittin could be used to treat people. (11/10/20)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Knowing about an inherited BRCA mutation improves outcomes for women with breast cancer
Most relevant for: Young women with, or at high risk for an inherited BRCA mutation
Inherited mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are linked to a high lifetime risk of breast and other cancers. This study shows that women who know that they have a BRCA mutation before they are diagnosed with breast cancer have improved outcomes including diagnosis at earlier stages and improved overall survival. (10/26/20)
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Relevance: Medium
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Update : FDA updates reported harmful events linked to breast implants
Most relevant for: People who have or are considering breast implants.
The FDA has updated reported cases of breast implant-associated cancer and breast implant illness. Included in this update is approval of a questionnaire that asks about quality of life and satisfaction with breast implants. (10/20/20)
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Personal Story : Coping with chemotherapy-induced hair loss
Most relevant for: People who receive chemotherapy for cancer treatment
Ovarian cancer survivor Stephanie Hess shared her personal story about how she coped with hair loss. This XRAY review also includes treatments to reduce this common side effect of chemotherapy. (9/28/20)
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Guideline : FDA issues alert on a drug combination to treat triple-negative breast cancer
Most relevant for: People with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
The immunotherapy drug Tecentriq (atezolizumab) is approved for use with Abraxane (nab-paclitaxel) to treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. Tecentriq is NOT approved for use with Taxol (paclitaxel). The Food and Drug Administration has issued an alert to doctors, researchers and patients warning that Tecentriq should not be used in combination with Taxol to treat patients with advanced triple-negative breast cancer. (09/18/20)
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Relevance: Medium-Low
Strength of Science: Medium-Low
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Dairy milk may slightly raise breast cancer risk
Most relevant for: Women who consume dairy or soy
Debate continues about whether consuming soy or dairy products increases breast cancer risk. This study looked at a large number of women and found no link between soy and breast cancer risk. The study did find that postmenopausal women who drank dairy milk have a small increase in breast cancer risk. (09/04/20)
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Study : Among women with breast cancer, who should have genetic testing for an inherited mutation?
Most relevant for: Women diagnosed with breast cancer who do not know if they have an inherited mutation in a gene linked to breast cancer
Which breast cancer patients should consider genetic testing? Knowing whether you have an inherited mutation may inform the decisions you and your healthcare provider make about treatment. But it can also increase stress and anxiety. This XRAY reviews a study of how different guidelines affect genetic testing recommendations for people with breast cancer. (8/27/20)
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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
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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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Healthy romantic relationships may decrease stress and inflammation for breast cancer survivors
Most relevant for: Women with breast cancer who have romantic partners
Satisfying romantic relationships may improve outcomes for women with breast cancer. In a new study, women who were more satisfied with their romantic relationships experienced less stress and lower inflammation. This study suggests that decreasing stress may be beneficial for breast cancer survivors. (7/25/20)
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