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
Categories Palliative Care, Quality of Life, Survivorship
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Research suggests exercise is safe for breast cancer patients at risk for lymphedema
Most relevant for: People with, or at high risk for lymphedema after breast cancer
Patients and health care providers are often concerned about how exercise affects lymphedema (swelling in the arm or hand) in breast cancer survivors or other women who have had lymph node biopsy at the time of mastectomy. Research on this topic has been mixed. A new study suggests that exercise after breast cancer treatment does not lead to lymphedema or worsen existing lymphedema. However, because this study was small, more work needs to be done to understand the relationship between exercise and lymphedema in cancer survivors. (2/22/17)
Read More
Study : “Chemobrain” seen in breast cancer patients up to six months after treatment
Most relevant for: People diagnosed with breast cancer who have or will be treated with chemotherapy
Many people report memory or concentration problems, commonly known as “chemobrain,” during and after cancer treatment. New research shows that for some breast cancer patients these issues continue 6 months after treatment. Documentation of this well-known effect is a crucial first step in developing ways to limit and treat it. (02/02/17)
Read More
Personal Story : Male transgender breast cancer patient shares his experience in NYT piece
Most relevant for: Transgender men with, or at high risk for breast cancer
Denise Grady’s New York Times piece presents the struggles faced by Eli Oberman, a male transgender patient who was diagnosed with breast cancer, including the difficulty of being the only male patient in gynecologist waiting rooms that are full of women. (12/21/16)
Read More
Article : After mastectomy: reconstruct or not?
Most relevant for: Woman who are facing mastectomy
Today, more women know they can have breast reconstruction after removing their breasts for cancer treatment or risk reduction. But what about choosing not to undergo reconstruction? Roni Caryn Rabin writes about the experiences of women who decide against reconstruction in her New York Times piece “‘Going Flat’ After Breast Cancer.” (12/14/16)
Read More
Relevance: Medium-High
Quality of Writing: High
Personal Story : CBS News brings attention to the issues facing young metastatic breast cancer patients
Most relevant for: Women diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer
Beth Caldwell is a former civil rights lawyer, a mother of two, and a wife who was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer when she 37. Mary Brophy Marcus covered Beth’s story in her piece, “The hardest part” of breast cancer under 40, for CBS News. (11/8/16)
Read More
Study : Removing ovaries before age 50 may increase the risk of chronic conditions for some women
Most relevant for: Women under 50 years of age who have had or are considering removing their ovaries
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)
Read More
Relevance: High
Quality of Writing: High
Article : Huffington Post article brings attention to metastatic breast cancer
Most relevant for: People diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer
Barbara Jacoby's Huffington Post piece, "How do breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer differ?" emphasizes the need for more treatment options for patients with advanced breast cancer.
Read More
Study : How beneficial is online communication after a new diagnosis of breast cancer?
Most relevant for:
Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients often use online communication to find more information about their diagnoses and treatment options. But does online communication benefit these patients' decision-making process? (8/30/16)
Read More
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Can acupressure be used to treat cancer-related fatigue?
Most relevant for: Breast cancer survivors and people in treatment who are experiencing fatigue
Breast cancer survivors commonly report experiencing considerable fatigue, which can lead to sleep problems and poor quality of life. Yet, there are no good therapies for these patients. This research study looks at whether self-administered acupressure can help breast cancer survivors with their fatigue. (8/9/16)
Read More
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Is there a link between exercise and memory in breast cancer survivors?
Most relevant for: People diagnosed with early stage breast cancer
Exercise has many health benefits, but can it also help improve memory for breast cancer survivors? This research finds that breast cancer survivors who exercised more had less fatigue and distress (anxiety, depression, stress, and/or concern about recurrence) and scored better on memory tests. (8/2/16)
Read More