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
Endometrial Cancer
Relevance: Medium


Strength of Science: Medium-High


Research Timeline: Post Approval


Study : What are the genetics underlying 12 different cancer types?
Relevance: Medium


Strength of Science: Medium-High


Research Timeline: Post Approval


Most relevant for: People diagnosed with cancer
As gene sequencing has become more affordable, researchers and health care providers are now looking for mutations in many genes beyond BRCA1, BRCA2 and others that are associated with known hereditary cancer syndromes. By sequencing thousands of genes rather than just one or two, researchers can better understand which inherited mutations affect cancer risk. In this study, researchers sequenced thousands of genes in patients with one of 12 cancers, including breast, and catalogued which gene mutations are most commonly found in each cancer. (03/01/16)
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Relevance: Medium


Strength of Science: Medium-High


Research Timeline: Human Research


Study : How many children with cancer have mutations in genes that increase cancer risk?
Relevance: Medium


Strength of Science: Medium-High


Research Timeline: Human Research


Most relevant for: Survivors of childhood cancer and people with a family history of relatives diagnosed with childhood cancers
Many genes are associated with increased cancer risk in adults, but it is unclear how common these mutations are in children with cancer. This study found that about 9% of children with cancer carry mutations in a gene that is known to increase cancer risk. Over half of the mutations were in the TP53 gene, which is associated with increased cancer risk at a young age and increased risk of breast cancer in adults. (12/15/2015)
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Study : Effects of cancer diagnosis and treatment during pregnancy on the health and development of the child
Most relevant for: Women who were diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant
Very little work has studied how a woman's cancer diagnosis and treatment during pregnancy affects her child. This study of women who were diagnosed with cancer while pregnant looks at their children at ages 18 months and 3 years. The study found no difference in general, cognitive, and cardiac development when compared to children born to healthy mothers. (12/08/2015)
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Relevance: Low


Strength of Science: Medium


Research Timeline: Animal Studies


Study : Do antioxidants encourage the spread of cancer cells?
Relevance: Low


Strength of Science: Medium


Research Timeline: Animal Studies


Most relevant for: The clinical relevance of this study for people is not clear
Scientists do not yet know why some cancers spread to other parts of the body (a process called metastasis). A study in mice suggested that high doses of some antioxidants (chemicals that can protect cells from damage) might actually make it easier for cancer cells to spread. (12/01/2015)
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Relevance: Low


Quality of Writing: Low


Article : What “The Truth About Cancer” got wrong about BRCA mutations and cancer
Relevance: Low


Quality of Writing: Low


Most relevant for: Because this video is full of medical misinformation, it is not relevant for anyone making healthcare decisions
A website called thetruthaboutcancer.com, created a 9-part docu-series titled “The Truth About Cancer: A Global Quest” (TACGQ). The video states that Angelina Jolie’s decision to remove her breasts was one made out of fear; one commentator states that her decision was “barbaric." This video contains a lot of dangerous misinformation about BRCA mutations and inherited cancer. FORCE XRAYS provides the following point-by-point analysis on "The Truth About Cancer." (11/10/2015)
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Relevance: Medium-High


Strength of Science: Medium


Study : Impact of familial breast cancer risk on young girls
Relevance: Medium-High


Strength of Science: Medium


Most relevant for: Young women and girls from high-risk breast cancer families
Does growing up in a family that is at high risk for breast cancer affect young girls? Recent research found girls from families with BRCA mutations and/or a strong family history of cancer to be as well adjusted as peers of the same age. The one difference was that girls from families facing breast cancer risk had more stress related to breast cancer than their peers. While these findings are reassuring, parents know their children best, and they should ask for help if they believe their daughters are not coping well. (11/03/2015)
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