Hereditary Cancer
Relevance: Medium
Most relevant for: People with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer who have had a long response to PARP inhibitor maintenance therapy
Study: Some people with recurrent ovarian cancer have long-lasting benefit from PARP inhibitors
PARP inhibitors are medicines used for some people with ovarian cancer as maintenance therapy after treatment. A new study looked at people whose cancer did not worsen for at least 5 years after starting a PARP inhibitor. Researchers called this an “exceptional response.” (posted 09/19/2026)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Most relevant for: People who have an inherited mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 and have been diagnosed with TNBC
Study: BRCA mutations may improve pembrolizumab response in early TNBC
The BRCAPATH study looked at people with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Participants received chemotherapy alone or chemotherapy plus the immunotherapy drug Keytruda (pembrolizumab) before surgery. People with a BRCA mutation, particularly those with a BRCA1 mutation, were more likely to have no sign of invasive cancer at the time of surgery than participants without a mutation. The results suggest that among people with early-stage TNBC, those with BRCA mutations are likely to respond well to this treatment. (posted 09/11/2026)
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Relevance: Medium
Most relevant for: People with metastatic pancreatic cancer whose have an inheiterd or tumor mutation in BRCA1, BRCA2 or PALB2 whose cancer has not worsened after chemotherapy
Study: Combination maintenance therapy may benefit some people with metastatic pancreatic cancer
The phase 2 POLAR trial tested maintenance therapy with Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and Lynparza (olaparib) in metastatic pancreatic cancer patients whose disease had not worsened after platinum-based chemotherapy. Maintenance therapy is treatment given after initial treatment to help control cancer and delay it from growing or spreading. Although the study did not meet its main goals and included only a small number of participants, some people with a BRCA1, BRCA2, or PALB2 mutation had long-lasting benefit. (posted 08/27/2026)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Most relevant for: People who have or are considering breast implants
Update: What people with breast implants should know about rare cancers and other safety concerns
Breast implants are used for reconstruction after mastectomy and for cosmetic enlargement of the breasts. Most people with implants do not develop serious problems. However, rare cancers may develop in the scar tissue around breast implants. Implants may also be linked to other symptoms throughout the body, sometimes called breast implant illness. (posted 8/20/2026)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Most relevant for: People who may be at high risk for melanoma
Study: Mutations in familial melanoma genes and cancer risk
Researchers studied nearly 700,000 people from the United States and the United Kingdom to learn how common mutations in familial melanoma genes are in the general population. They found that these mutations may be more common than previously estimated and were often found in people who developed melanoma at a young age or who had more than one melanoma. These findings suggest that some people with melanoma may benefit from discussing genetic counseling and testing with their healthcare provider. (posted 7/28/2026)
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Relevance: High
Most relevant for: • Black women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer at age 50 or younger
Study: Understanding inherited breast cancer risk in young Black women
This study looked at genetic testing for Black women diagnosed with breast cancer at age 50 or younger. The study found that about 15% of young Black women had an inherited mutation in a known breast cancer gene, most commonly BRCA1, BRCA2, or PALB2. These findings highlight the importance of genetic counseling and testing in guiding treatment and family risk assessment. (posted 7/13/2026)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Most relevant for: Men with prostate cancer
Study: Males with prostate cancer share positive experiences with genetic testing
A study of men with prostate cancer found that most had a positive experience with genetic testing. Many reported feeling more informed about their health and understanding their cancer risks after receiving their results. (posted 5/26/2026)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Most relevant for: People with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation who have had ovarian cancer
Study: Breast cancer risk after ovarian cancer in women with BRCA mutations
Women who have an inherited mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 have a higher lifetime risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer compared to women without these mutations. This study found that after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation have a relatively low risk of developing breast cancer. (posted 5/18/2026)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Most relevant for: Parents of children with childhood cancer
Study: Mutations in DNA repair genes and hereditary childhood cancer
Studies show that up to 18% of children with cancer have a mutation in a gene that is known to increase cancer risk. In this study, researchers examined whether mutations in genes that help repair damaged DNA contribute to pediatric cancer. They also identified new genes that may increase cancer risk in children. (posted 5/7/2026)
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Relevance: Medium
Most relevant for: Women with menopause symptoms currently using or considering hormone therapy
Update: Hormone therapy for menopause
For people living with menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, joint pain or vaginal dryness, menopausal hormone therapy may be a helpful option to address these symptoms. This includes people at high risk for ovarian cancer who experience early menopause after risk-reducing surgery. The FDA recently updated its guidance to remove some of the strongest warning labels from these treatments. This change could make it easier for you and your doctor to decide if hormone therapy is right for you. (posted 4/27/2026)
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