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.
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Hereditary Cancer Risk
Study : Does light alcohol consumption affect your breast cancer risk?
Most relevant for: Women who drink alcohol and are concerned about their 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
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Dense breast notifications are informative but hard to read and understand
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Most relevant for: Women with dense breast tissue on mammograms
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
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Do BRCA mutations affect fertility?
Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Human Research
Most relevant for: Women with a BRCA mutation who want to become pregnant
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
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Is breast cancer risk increased in women who test negative for the BRCA mutation in their family?
Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Human Research
Most relevant for: Women from a family with a known BRCA mutation who tested negative for the mutation in the 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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Article : New York Times report demonstrates need for genetic counseling, but doesn’t give the whole story
Most relevant for: People diagnosed with breast cancer
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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Study : Do women who eat a high fiber diet have a lower risk of breast cancer?
Most relevant for: Adolescent and young adult women
Some researchers believe that dietary fiber may decrease breast cancer risk by lowering estrogen levels in the blood. However, many previous studies have failed to find a link between fiber consumption and lower breast cancer risk. The current study suggests that consuming high dietary fiber during adolescence and young adulthood may lower breast cancer risk, but more work needs to be done to confirm this finding. In the meantime, everyone is encouraged to eat a variety of high fiber foods for the many well-documented health benefits. (03/08/16)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : How do ultrasound and mammography compare in breast cancer screening?
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: Young women at high risk for breast cancer with limited access to mammography and MRI is not easily accessible
Mammography has been shown to reduce breast cancer deaths; however, women in developing countries don’t have easy access to mammography. Ultrasound screening, on the other hand, is portable and less expensive, and could be an alternative to mammography. This study compared mammography to ultrasound in women with dense breasts and found the two techniques have similar cancer detection rates, although the false positive rate is higher with ultrasound. (02/16/16)
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Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Lab Research
Study : Do parabens in personal care products increase breast cancer risk?
Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Lab Research
Most relevant for: Women who use personal care products that contain parabens.
Parabens are chemicals that can mimic the hormone estrogen in the body. As estrogen has been shown to increase breast cancer risk, some people have asked if parabens found in some cosmetics and shampoos will also increase breast cancer risk. Many studies have shown that parabens in the quantities found in personal care products are safe. A recent study of human breast cancer cells suggests that in certain conditions, parabens could help some breast cancer cells grow. It is important to remember that this is early research; this single laboratory-based study does not conclusively prove that parabens are dangerous. More work, including human studies, needs to be done to understand if parabens increase cancer risk. (01/16/2016)
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Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Aerobic exercise lowers estrogen levels in premenopausal women at high risk for breast cancer
Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Human Research
Most relevant for: High risk women with a BRCA mutation or a close relative with a BRCA mutation
Many treatments that lower estrogen levels also reduce breast cancer risk. Unfortunately, these treatments are also associated with negative side effects. A recent study looked at the effect of regular aerobic exercise on the estrogen levels of women who are at high risk for breast cancer. (11/14/2015)
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Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium-Low
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Breastfeeding may reduce hormone receptor negative breast cancer risk
Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium-Low
Research Timeline: Human Research
Most relevant for: Women who are pregnant or have just given birth and are deciding about breastfeeding
Previous studies have shown that women who breastfeed have a reduced breast cancer risk. This study examines this association in the different breast cancer subtypes (ER, PR, HER2 negative/positive) and finds that breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of ER-/PR- breast cancer. (11/16/2015)
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