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-High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Update : Pembrolizumab receives FDA approval for people with early-stage, triple-negative breast cancer
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People with early-stage, triple-negative breast cancer who have a high risk for recurrence
The FDA approved the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) for the treatment of early-stage triple-negative breast cancer that has a high risk for recurrence. This marks the first approval for this type of drug, known as an immune checkpoint inhibitor, for the treatment of early-stage breast cancer. (posted 9/2/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
Read More
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Drinking coffee or tea may improve survival after breast cancer
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: Women with breast cancer who drink coffee or tea.
In a study of 8,900 women with stage 1, 2 or 3 breast cancer, those who drank coffee survived longer after a breast cancer diagnosis than those who did not drink coffee. Both coffee and tea were linked to improved survival from any cause. Several factors were linked to greater coffee or tea consumption, so this finding must be taken with some caution. However, breast cancer survivors who are regular coffee or tea drinkers may find this research reassuring. (posted 8/31/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
Read More
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Frequency of inherited mutations linked to breast cancer are similar in Black and white women
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: Non-Hispanic Black and white women with breast cancer
The CARRIERS study looked at the rate of inherited mutations in women with and without breast cancer. In an extension of the CARRIERS study, researchers found no difference in the frequency of inherited mutations in breast cancer genes among Black and white women with breast cancer. A few individual genes differed in frequency: BRCA2 and PALB2 mutations were seen more often in Black women, while CHEK2 mutations were seen less often. Researchers concluded that race should not be used to determine who is referred for genetic testing. (posted 8/13/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
Read More
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Guideline : ASCO guidelines recommend olaparib for people with early-stage, high-risk breast cancer and an inherited BRCA mutation
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People with early-stage HER2-negative breast cancer and an inherited BRCA mutation
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has updated their breast cancer treatment guidelines to include treatment with the PARP inhibitor olaparib (Lynparza) for one year after completing chemotherapy, surgery and radiation (if used) to improve outcomes of people with an inherited mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 with early-stage, HER2-negative breast cancer who have a high risk for recurrence. (posted 8/6/21) Update: Based on results from the OlympiA Study, the FDA approved olaparib as adjuvant treatment for people with an inherited BRCA mutation who have been diagnosed with early-stage HER2-negative breast cancer and are at high risk for recurrence. (03/11/2022)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
Read More
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.
Read More
Article : Overview of pancreatic cancer treatment options
Most relevant for: People with pancreatic cancer
This review looks at current strategies for pancreatic cancer care and potential future therapies. (posted 7/28/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
Read More
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Test score may predict which prostate cancer patients can safely skip combined therapy
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: Men with advanced prostate cancer
This study shows that a test score that estimates the aggressiveness of a person’s prostate cancer may also identify the best treatment for patients. (posted 7/9/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
Read More
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Cancer risks of people with inherited PALB2 mutations
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: people with inherited PALB2 mutations
In the largest study of people with inherited PALB2 mutations to date, the gene was linked to increased lifetime risk of breast cancer in women and men, ovarian and pancreatic cancer but not prostate or colorectal cancer. (posted 7/1/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
Read More
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Women can have safe pregnancies after breast cancer treatment
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: Women who have had breast cancer who are considering pregnancy.
In a large analysis of all published studies to date, most women who become pregnant after breast cancer treatment had safe pregnancies, with no increase in their cancer recurrence risk. Infants of mothers treated for breast cancer were more likely to have low birth weight, preterm birth and small size at birth but there was no increase in birth defects. Breast cancer survivors who became pregnant had a similar risk of recurrence and survival as survivors who did not become pregnant. (posted 6/24/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
Read More
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Birth control pills may offer long-term protection against endometrial and ovarian cancer
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People concerned about endometrial, ovarian or breast cancer risk
A large study showed that birth control pills may protect against endometrial and ovarian cancers, even years after use was discontinued. (posted 6/1/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
Read More