Categories Prevention, Screening
Relevance: Medium
Most relevant for: Women at average risk for breast cancer
Study: Breast cancer risk model updated for average risk women with genetic, lifestyle and environmental information
A number of factors are known to increase breast cancer risk, but some of these factors have not been included in models to predict breast cancer risk. This study looks at an updated model that includes some of these factors, such as genetics, smoking, and drinking. The goal of the model is to give women a more individualized breast cancer risk assessment. (6/29/16)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Most relevant for: Women with dense breast tissue on mammograms
Study: Dense breast notifications are informative but hard to read and understand
Some states offer women dense breast notifications that are meant to explain that dense breasts are risk factors for breast cancer and can hide cancer on mammograms, and to identify appropriate supplemental screening options. But recent research found that this information is often not easy to read or understand, which questions the usefulness of the documents. (6/7/16)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Most relevant for: Adolescent and young adult women
Study: Do women who eat a high fiber diet have a lower risk of breast cancer?
Some researchers believe that dietary fiber may decrease breast cancer risk by lowering estrogen levels in the blood. However, many previous studies have failed to find a link between fiber consumption and lower breast cancer risk. The current study suggests that consuming high dietary fiber during adolescence and young adulthood may lower breast cancer risk, but more work needs to be done to confirm this finding. In the meantime, everyone is encouraged to eat a variety of high fiber foods for the many well-documented health benefits. (03/08/16)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Most relevant for: Young women at high risk for breast cancer with limited access to mammography and MRI is not easily accessible
Study: How do ultrasound and mammography compare in breast cancer screening?
Mammography has been shown to reduce breast cancer deaths; however, women in developing countries don’t have easy access to mammography. Ultrasound screening, on the other hand, is portable and less expensive, and could be an alternative to mammography. This study compared mammography to ultrasound in women with dense breasts and found the two techniques have similar cancer detection rates, although the false positive rate is higher with ultrasound. (02/16/16)
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Relevance: Medium
Most relevant for: High risk women with a BRCA mutation or a close relative with a BRCA mutation
Study: Aerobic exercise lowers estrogen levels in premenopausal women at high risk for breast cancer
Many treatments that lower estrogen levels also reduce breast cancer risk. Unfortunately, these treatments are also associated with negative side effects. A recent study looked at the effect of regular aerobic exercise on the estrogen levels of women who are at high risk for breast cancer. (11/14/2015)
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Relevance: Medium
Most relevant for: Women who are pregnant or have just given birth and are deciding about breastfeeding
Study: Breastfeeding may reduce hormone receptor negative breast cancer risk
Previous studies have shown that women who breastfeed have a reduced breast cancer risk. This study examines this association in the different breast cancer subtypes (ER, PR, HER2 negative/positive) and finds that breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of ER-/PR- breast cancer. (11/16/2015)
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