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
All XRAYs
Relevance: Medium


Strength of Science: Medium-Low


Study : Hereditary cancer mutations among people with multiple myeloma
Relevance: Medium


Strength of Science: Medium-Low


Most relevant for: People with multiple myeloma or who have families with multiple myeloma
People with multiple myeloma who have inherited gene mutations are more likely to have had another cancer previously and may respond better to certain treatments than people with multiple myeloma who do not have inherited mutations. Individuals with an inherited BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation may have a slightly increased risk for multiple myeloma, but more research is needed to confirm this. (Posted 4/23/25)
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Relevance: Medium-High


Update : News from the FDA: Colorectal cancer screening and treatment
Most relevant for: People with colorectal cancer or at risk of colorectal cancer
This XRAY review is a summary of FDA colorectal cancer (CRC) updates in the last year, including education regarding CRC screening, three treatment drugs targeting different types of CRC and two colorectal screening tests. (Posted 4/16/25)
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Relevance: Medium-High


Research Timeline: Post Approval


Update : Ovarian suppression may reduce breast cancer recurrence
Most relevant for: Premenopausal women before or during early breast cancer treatment
Ovarian suppression—blocking estrogen production in the ovaries—can improve breast cancer outcomes in premenopausal women. This review provides information about ovarian suppression and describes who might benefit. (Posted 3/6/25)
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Relevance: Medium-High


Research Timeline: Post Approval


Topic : Addressing the needs of young adults with breast cancer
Relevance: Medium-High


Research Timeline: Post Approval


Most relevant for: Young women with breast cancer concerned about survivorship issues
This update addresses common concerns faced by young adults with breast cancer, particularly fertility and childbearing, psychosocial health and treatment-related side effects. (Posted 2/28/25)
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Relevance: Medium-High


Strength of Science: Medium-High


Study : Neighborhood affects prostate cancer risk in men of West African ancestry
Relevance: Medium-High


Strength of Science: Medium-High


Most relevant for: Men with West African ancestry
Black men of West African genetic ancestry have a much higher risk of developing prostate cancer than men of other races. The risk is even greater when they live in deprived or disadvantaged neighborhoods. (Posted 2/26/25)
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Relevance: Medium-High


Strength of Science: Medium


Study : Impact on sexual well-being among people with an inherited BRCA mutation
Relevance: Medium-High


Strength of Science: Medium


Most relevant for: People with an inherited mutation that increases cancer risk who are interested in sexual health
This study looked at sexual well-being in those with an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Knowledge about having an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA1 mutation did not influence sexual health. However, menopause and cancer diagnosis was had a significant impact on sexual health and sexual function. (Posted 2/13/25)
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Relevance: Medium-High


Strength of Science: Medium-High


Research Timeline: Post Approval


Study : Risk of peritoneal cancer is low for people with an inherited BRCA mutation after surgery
Relevance: Medium-High


Strength of Science: Medium-High


Research Timeline: Post Approval


Most relevant for: People with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation who have had risk-reducing surgery to remove their ovaries
The risk of peritoneal cancer is low in people with an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation after risk-reducing ovary removal (oophorectomy). The risk was even lower when risk-reducing surgery was done at a young age and after 2005 when removal of the fallopian tubes was included in the procedure. The findings of this research support the theory that like ovarian cancer, peritoneal cancer begins in the fallopian tubes and reinforces the age recommendation for surgery. (Posted 1/23/25)
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Relevance: Medium-High


Guideline : Hereditary cancer gene guidelines expand
Relevance: Medium-High


Most relevant for: People at high risk for hereditary cancer
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network regularly updates guidelines for several types of hereditary cancer. These recommendations often change when new research is published. Recently, the NCCN expanded its guidelines to include information on hereditary prostate and gastric cancers. (Posted 1/6/25)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium-High


Strength of Science: High


Research Timeline: Post Approval


Study : Lifetime cancer risks in people with an inherited mutation in CDH1
Relevance: Medium-High


Strength of Science: High


Research Timeline: Post Approval


Most relevant for: People with an inherited mutation in CDH1
This study looked at the lifetime risks of stomach and breast cancer in families with a known CDH1 mutation. Results from the study suggest that for some CDH1 mutation carriers lifetime stomach cancer risk is lower than previous research has shown. Additionally, study results show that the lifetime risk of breast cancer is similar to previous lifetime risk estimates in women with mutations in this gene. (Posted 12/10/24)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium


Quality of Writing: High


Article : Life with a high-risk pancreatic and melanoma cancer mutation
Most relevant for: People with an inherited mutation in CDKN2A
One woman seeks genetic testing after her sister died of pancreatic cancer. Despite how her family’s mutation in the CDKN2A gene resulted in multiple cancer diagnoses and deaths and a suspicious finding during her own pancreatic cancer screening, Amarensia Spruitenburg shares a message of hope and gratitude. By telling her story, Amarensia highlights the impact that hereditary cancer can have on families. (Posted 11/22/24)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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