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
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Strength of Science: Medium
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Research Timeline: Animal Studies
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Study : Sugar promotes tumor growth and metastasis in mouse model breast cancer
Relevance: Medium
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Strength of Science: Medium
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Research Timeline: Animal Studies
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Most relevant for: People diagnosed with breast cancer
Previous human studies found associations between high sugar intake and breast cancer risk. This study looked at the direct effect of sugar on breast cancer growth and metastasis in mice. While researchers observed that sugar increased tumor growth and metastasis, more work needs to be done to see if this finding is relevant in humans. It is important to remember, the overall health benefits of limiting sugar intake remain undisputed. (02/02/16)
Read More![](https://www.facingourrisk.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=400,height=400,fit=contain,format=webp/uploads/assets/xray/sugars.jpg)
Relevance: Medium
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Strength of Science: Medium
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Research Timeline: Human Research
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Study : Potential genetic basis for breast cancer survivors who develop therapy-related leukemia
Relevance: Medium
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Strength of Science: Medium
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Research Timeline: Human Research
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Most relevant for: Breast cancer patients who have an inherited mutation and breast cancer patients who developed leukemia after treatment for breast cancer.
The population of breast cancer survivors in the United States is increasing. One rare but dangerous long-term effect of breast cancer treatment is an increased risk of leukemia, a type of bone marrow cancer. A recent study uncovered a potential genetic basis for this condition. (01/26/2015)
Read More![](https://www.facingourrisk.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=400,height=400,fit=contain,format=webp/uploads/assets/xray/lukemia-breast-cancer.jpg)
Relevance: Medium-High
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Strength of Science: Medium-High
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Research Timeline: Post Approval
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Study : Does lumpectomy or mastectomy provide better survival for women with early stage breast cancer?
Relevance: Medium-High
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Strength of Science: Medium-High
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Research Timeline: Post Approval
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Most relevant for: Women with early stage breast cancer
Previous research has hinted that women who have breast-conserving surgeries have the same, if not better, overall survival as women who have mastectomies. Researchers in this study wanted to see if that was true; they found that women who chose breast-conserving surgeries did have a higher overall survival. However, this study, presented at the 2015 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, had limitations that make it difficult to interpret the results or to extend them to all women with breast cancer. (01/19/2016)
Read More![](https://www.facingourrisk.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=400,height=400,fit=contain,format=webp/uploads/assets/xray/mastectomy-vs-lumpectomyjpg.jpg)
Study : Effects of cancer diagnosis and treatment during pregnancy on the health and development of the child
Most relevant for: Women who were diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant
Very little work has studied how a woman's cancer diagnosis and treatment during pregnancy affects her child. This study of women who were diagnosed with cancer while pregnant looks at their children at ages 18 months and 3 years. The study found no difference in general, cognitive, and cardiac development when compared to children born to healthy mothers. (12/08/2015)
Read More![](https://www.facingourrisk.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=400,height=400,fit=contain,format=webp/uploads/assets/xray/cancer-during-pregnancy.jpg)
Relevance: Low
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Strength of Science: Medium
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Research Timeline: Animal Studies
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Study : Do antioxidants encourage the spread of cancer cells?
Relevance: Low
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Strength of Science: Medium
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Research Timeline: Animal Studies
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Most relevant for: The clinical relevance of this study for people is not clear
Scientists do not yet know why some cancers spread to other parts of the body (a process called metastasis). A study in mice suggested that high doses of some antioxidants (chemicals that can protect cells from damage) might actually make it easier for cancer cells to spread. (12/01/2015)
Read More![](https://www.facingourrisk.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=400,height=400,fit=contain,format=webp/uploads/assets/xray/antioxidants.jpg)
Relevance: Low
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Quality of Writing: Low
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Article : What “The Truth About Cancer” got wrong about BRCA mutations and cancer
Relevance: Low
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Quality of Writing: Low
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Most relevant for: Because this video is full of medical misinformation, it is not relevant for anyone making healthcare decisions
A website called thetruthaboutcancer.com, created a 9-part docu-series titled “The Truth About Cancer: A Global Quest” (TACGQ). The video states that Angelina Jolie’s decision to remove her breasts was one made out of fear; one commentator states that her decision was “barbaric." This video contains a lot of dangerous misinformation about BRCA mutations and inherited cancer. FORCE XRAYS provides the following point-by-point analysis on "The Truth About Cancer." (11/10/2015)
Read More![](https://www.facingourrisk.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=400,height=400,fit=contain,format=webp/uploads/assets/xray/truth-about-cancer-series.jpg)
Relevance: Medium
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Strength of Science: Medium
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Research Timeline: Human Research
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Study : New research may lead to a blood test that detects breast cancer recurrence earlier
Relevance: Medium
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Strength of Science: Medium
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Research Timeline: Human Research
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Most relevant for: People diagnosed with early stage breast cancer
Recent headlines announced a blood test that can potentially predict which breast cancer survivors are at risk of recurrence. This particular blood test, one of many being developed, is sometimes called a “liquid biopsy.” This early research focuses on a technique that is promising, but not yet available to breast cancer survivors. (10/12/15)
Note: THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN UPDATED on 11/07/19 with newly-published data. See our updated article: A new blood test may help predict early-stage breast cancer patients at highest risk for recurrence.
Read More
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Relevance: Medium-High
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Strength of Science: High
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Study : All DCIS is not the same: Young women and African American women at higher risk after DCIS diagnosis
Relevance: Medium-High
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Strength of Science: High
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Most relevant for: Women diagnosed with DCIS
Diagnoses of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), sometimes called stage 0 breast cancer, have increased in recent decades. Many people with DCIS wonder if they need aggressive treatment. A study looking at the survival of over 100,000 women found that breast cancer mortality after DCIS is low (3%), and identified groups of women who are at higher risk after DCIS. (9/8/15)
Read More![](https://www.facingourrisk.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=400,height=400,fit=contain,format=webp/uploads/assets/xray/all-DCIS-is-not-the-same.jpg)
Study : Weight gain associated with breast cancer survivorship
Most relevant for: Women diagnosed with early stage (1-3) breast cancer
Weight gain in breast cancer survivors can affect survival and quality-of-life. This study found that breast cancer survivors are more likely to gain weight than women of the same age who are at high risk, but have never been diagnosed with cancer. The study looked at which groups of survivors were more likely to gain weight. (8/24/15)
Read More![](https://www.facingourrisk.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=400,height=400,fit=contain,format=webp/uploads/assets/xray/breast-cancer-and-weight-gain.jpg)