Hereditary Cancer
Relevance: Medium-High
Most relevant for: Men diagnosed with breast cancer
Personal Story: Men get breast cancer too
Cathy Free's piece for People, “Men Have Breasts Too: New York Man Who Survived Stage 2 Breast Cancer Spreads Message,” tells the stories of two men whose experiences with breast cancer inspired them to speak openly about breast cancer awareness for men. (11/29/16)
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Relevance: Medium
Most relevant for: People considering genetic testing and people who are Ashkenazi Jewish
Personal Story: Why one woman passed on genetic testing
What are reasons to get or not get genetic testing? Cynthia Graber gives her thoughts on the matter in her Wired opinion piece, "Why I Won't Get the Genetic Test for Breast Cancer." (11/15/16)
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Relevance: Medium
Most relevant for: Women under 50 years of age who have had or are considering removing their ovaries
Study: Removing ovaries before age 50 may increase the risk of chronic conditions for some women
Removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes prevents ovarian cancer, but it may come with other health risks. Experts recommend removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes in women at high risk for ovarian cancer due to inherited mutations in BRCA or other genes linked to ovarian cancer risk. For these high-risk women the benefit of ovarian cancer prevention outweighs the risk of long-term complications. Based on a recent study, some researchers feel that for women who are not at increased risk for cancer, the risk for some chronic conditions is too high to consider removal of both ovaries. (11/1/16)
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Relevance: Medium
Most relevant for: Women who are at high risk for breast cancer due to family history, dense breasts, LCIS, or multiple biopsies
Study: Breast cancer screening should be tailored to a woman’s risk factors and breast density
The United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends a screening mammogram every other year for women ages 50-74 who are at average risk for breast cancer. But do all patients in this category benefit from this screening regimen? 10/18/16
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Relevance: Medium
Most relevant for: Woman at average risk for breast cancer who have or are considering undergoing In Vitro Fertilization
Study: Does IVF increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer?
In vitro fertilization (IVF) wasn't commonly used until the 1980s, so its long-term effects are mostly unknown. A new study suggests that the treatment does not increase a woman's risk for developing breast cancer. (8/23/16)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Most relevant for: Women who drink alcohol and are concerned about their breast cancer risk.
Study: Does light alcohol consumption affect your breast cancer risk?
Alcohol is known to increase breast cancer risk, but does that include light consumption? This study indicates that some breast cancer occurrences and mortality is due to light alcohol consumption. (06/21/16)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Most relevant for: Women with dense breast tissue on mammograms
Study: Dense breast notifications are informative but hard to read and understand
Some states offer women dense breast notifications that are meant to explain that dense breasts are risk factors for breast cancer and can hide cancer on mammograms, and to identify appropriate supplemental screening options. But recent research found that this information is often not easy to read or understand, which questions the usefulness of the documents. (6/7/16)
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Relevance: Medium
Most relevant for: Women with a BRCA mutation who want to become pregnant
Study: Do BRCA mutations affect fertility?
Age affects fertility. As women age, their ovaries release eggs that are not as healthy as those released in younger women. Fewer eggs are released each menstrual cycle as women age, making it harder for older women to become pregnant. Are women with BRCA mutations less fertile? Previous research suggested that BRCA mutations might affect women's fertility as she ages. A recent study found that BRCA1 mutation carriers may have slightly lower fertility than women without the same mutation, but more research is needed before this finding is useful for medical decision-making. (5/24/16)
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Relevance: Medium
Most relevant for: Women from a family with a known BRCA mutation who tested negative for the mutation in the family
Study: Is breast cancer risk increased in women who test negative for the BRCA mutation in their family?
Some women who do not carry a BRCA mutation, but come from a BRCA-positive family, still develop breast cancer. This research examines whether these women are at higher risk for breast cancer, or whether their risk is similar to women in the general population. (4/19/16)
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Relevance: Medium
Most relevant for: People diagnosed with breast cancer
Article: New York Times report demonstrates need for genetic counseling, but doesn’t give the whole story
A New York Times report discussed how genetic testing could provide “grim data” without guidance for patients. While this is a valid concern, this report does not sufficiently emphasize certain important issues regarding genetic testing, particularly the need for genetic counseling by a health care provider with expertise in genetics before and after genetic testing. (4/5/16)
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