Breast Cancer

Study : Can tumor tests identify more breast cancer patients who can safely skip chemotherapy?

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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Most relevant for: Women with breast cancer

Two studies presented at the December 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium looked at how tumor testing can identify patients who may benefit the most and the least from chemotherapy. (3/4/21)

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Study : Breastfeeding may lower risk of ovarian cancer in women with BRCA mutations

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Human Research

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Most relevant for: Women considering breastfeeding who have inherited BRCA mutations.

Data from a large-scale study suggests that breastfeeding may protect against ovarian cancer in women with inherited mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2. (1/28/21)

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Study : How breast cancer patients experience hormone therapy

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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Most relevant for: Breast cancer patients taking or considering taking hormone therapy

Side effects from hormone therapy are a common reason that many men and women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer stop treatment early. Some people never start hormone therapy. This study asked patients about their experiences with hormone (or endocrine) therapy. The results suggest that there may be ways to improve the number of patients who stick with therapy. Patients need better ways to manage hormone therapy-related side effects. (1/19/21)

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Study : Trodelvy clinical trial results likely practice-changing for people with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer

Relevance: High

Strength of Science: High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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

The ASCENT study confirmed an earlier study and showed that the 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)

Study : The buzz about honeybee venom: Promising early research to treat breast cancer

Relevance: Medium-Low

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Animal Studies

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)

Study : Knowing about an inherited BRCA mutation improves outcomes for women with breast cancer

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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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)

Update : FDA updates reported harmful events linked to breast implants

Relevance: Medium

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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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). Note: On October 27, 2021 the FDA announced stronger guidance on breast implant safety.

Personal Story : Coping with chemotherapy-induced hair loss

Relevance: High

Quality of Writing: High

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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)

Guideline : FDA issues alert on a drug combination to treat triple-negative breast cancer

Relevance: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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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)

Study : Dairy milk may slightly raise breast cancer risk

Relevance: Medium-Low

Strength of Science: Medium-Low

Research Timeline: Human Research

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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)