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
Metastatic Breast Cancer
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Cannabis use among breast cancer patients
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Most relevant for: People interested in using cannabis to relieve treatment side effects.
This study looked at patterns of cannabis use among breast cancer patients who are members of online health communities. Almost half of the study participants reported using cannabis to help manage treatment symptoms and side effects. The study also looked at reasons why patients used cannabis, where they obtained it and whether they perceived cannabis to be safe. While this study only looked at cannabis use among breast cancer patients it is likely results would be similar among patients diagnosed with other types of cancers. (posted 1/25/22)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Physical activity may prevent chemotherapy-related cognitive decline in women with breast cancer
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People concerned about the impact of chemotherapy
Many people experience chemo brain or chemo fog (cognitive effects) during and after chemotherapy. Researchers looked at the impact of physical activity on chemotherapy-related decline in memory, attention and information processing in women with breast cancer. This study shows that more physical activity before and during chemotherapy is linked to better information processing after chemotherapy. (Posted 1/6/22)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Update : Stronger guidance about breast implant safety
Most relevant for: People with or considering breast implants
The FDA issued new guidance for breast implants so that all people with breast implants have the appropriate information to understand and make decisions about their healthcare. Required features include box warning, patient decision checklist, guidelines for screening for implant ruptures and patient device cards. (posted 12/14/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Multiple sclerosis may affect breast and colorectal cancer survival
Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Most relevant for: People with multiple sclerosis who are diagnosed with cancer
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) have lower overall survival after a breast or colorectal cancer diagnosis compared to people diagnosed with these cancers who do not have multiple sclerosis. Survival differed by cancer type. (posted 12/10/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Update : COVID boosters: What people with cancer should know
Relevance: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People with cancer considering a COVID-19 booster
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network has issued new guidelines for COVID-19 vaccinations. Guidelines now recommend a booster or third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine for patients with cancer, including those undergoing active treatment. Currently, these updated guidelines do not address people who had the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (posted 11/16/2021)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Genetic testing for inherited mutations may be helpful for all people with advanced or metastatic cancer
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: people with metastatic or recurrent cancer
In a study of nearly 12,000 cancer patients with a variety of cancers, eight percent of participants with metastatic cancer had an inherited mutation in a cancer gene that qualified them for a targeted treatment approved by the FDA or for participation in a clinical trial. The majority of people with metastatic cancer were unaware that they had an inherited mutation, and had not receive gene-directed treatment to which their tumor may have responded. The study authors suggest that genetic testing for inherited mutations may be warranted for all patients with advanced or metastatic cancer. (posted 9/30/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Update : Blood tests called liquid biopsies for cancer screening, monitoring and treatment
Most relevant for: People considering a liquid biopsy to screen for cancer
Could a simple blood test change cancer detection, treatment and monitoring? Several companies are offering a type of blood test known as a liquid biopsy to detect multiple cancers at their earliest stages, monitor response to treatment and help choose the best treatment. Although progress has been made using liquid biopsies to treat cancer, these tests have not yet been shown to detect cancer early enough to save lives. (posted 9/29/21)
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Article : Transgender peoples' perspectives of being diagnosed with gender-associated cancer
Most relevant for: transgender people
An ABC News article provides viewpoints and data that conveys the added stress experienced by transgender and gender-nonconforming people when they are diagnosed with gender-associated cancer (e.g., ovarian or prostate cancer) that does not match their gender identity. (posted 9/13/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Update : Breast cancer disparities in Black Americans
Most relevant for: Black women in the US
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) released a 2020 report about cancer disparities among racial and ethnic groups in the United States. In this review, we highlight findings on the burden of breast cancer in Black women. (posted 8/5/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Expanded access to Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act is linked to reduced cancer mortality
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People with breast, colorectal or lung cancer.
In 2014 the Affordable Care Act expanded Medicaid coverage. How did this affect healthcare for cancer patients? This study shows that deaths from breast, colorectal and lung cancer are lower in states that chose to expand Medicaid compared to states that did not. Early diagnosis was linked to lower death rates. This suggests that increased healthcare access may lead to earlier cancer detection and better outcomes, including lower mortality. (3/31/2021)
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