Get notified of page updates
Education > XRAY > Search Results

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

How To Use XRAY
Search by Topic Submit an Article for Review

All XRAYs

221 through 230 of 324

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: High

View Related Clinical Trials

Study : Survival and mutation status in breast cancer patients under age 40

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: High

View Related Clinical Trials

Most relevant for: Young breast cancer patients

Studies have found conflicting rates of survival for BRCA mutation carriers who develop breast cancer, reporting better, worse and similar outcomes compared to patients with sporadic breast cancer. New results of the large Prospective Outcomes in Sporadic versus Hereditary (POSH) breast cancer study found no difference in survival rates between the two groups. The study also concluded that among young triple-negative breast cancer patients during the first 2 years after diagnosis, BRCA mutation carriers had an initial survival advantage compared to women without a BRCA mutation. (02/15/18)

Read More

Relevance: Medium

Quality of Writing: Medium-High

View Related Clinical Trials

Article : Oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery with BioZorb® technology

Relevance: Medium

Quality of Writing: Medium-High

View Related Clinical Trials

Most relevant for: Women undergoing lumpectomy for breast cancer

The January 22, 2018 issue of The Columbian included an interview with Dr. Anne Peled in its online report, “Breast cancer surgeon diagnosed with breast cancer advocates oncoplastic surgery.”  Dr. Peled is a 37-year-old breast cancer surgeon and plastic surgeon from California who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent oncoplastic lumpectomy—a single surgery that removes the tumor and rearranges the remaining tissue to eliminate any resulting breast deformity. Peled’s procedure included a relatively new technology that she uses for her own patients: an implanted BioZorb® marker, a small device that improves precise targeting of radiation therapy and cosmetic outcome. (2/8/18) 

Update 08/02/2024 

On May 22, 2024, the FDA issued a safety notification on BioZorb Markers. This is due to reports of people having adverse reactions to BioZorb Markers placed in breast tissue.

These included infection, fluid buildup, movement of the marker, either through the skin or to another location in the breast, discomfort due to feeling the device in the breast and rash. This safety alert does not call for removal of BioZorb Markers. People should report any reactions to BioZorb to their doctor and the FDA. You can read more about this safety notification here.

Read More

Relevance: High

Strength of Science: High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

View Related Clinical Trials

Study : Should biannual MRIs replace annual mammograms in high-risk women?

Relevance: High

Strength of Science: High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

View Related Clinical Trials

Most relevant for: Women at increased risk for breast cancer due to an inherited mutation

The risk of breast cancer is exceptionally high in women who have a personal or family history of breast cancer or who carry a mutation in BRCA or certain other genes. More frequent screening is one strategy for early detection of breast cancer for these women. Study results presented at the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium suggest that MRI screening every 6 months may be more effective than the currently recommended annual breast MRI and annual mammogram in detecting early stage breast cancers-which are more treatable-in high-risk women. (2/1/18)

Read More

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

View Related Clinical Trials

Study : What is the risk of breast cancer recurrence after nipple-sparing mastectomy?

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

View Related Clinical Trials

Most relevant for: Breast cancer patients who are considering or have had a nipple sparing mastectomy

Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) offers better cosmetic results for women who have immediate breast reconstruction (at the same time as their mastectomy). Over the past decade, NSM has gained popularity among surgeons and patients. Studies show that women who keep their own nipples have higher rates of satisfaction and psychological well-being after mastectomy and reconstruction compared to women who lose their nipples. However, little data exists on the long-term risk of recurrence following NSM. New research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that risk of recurrence is low after NSM in carefully selected patients with breast cancer. (1/25/18)

Read More

Relevance: Medium

Quality of Writing: High

Research Timeline: Human Research

View Related Clinical Trials

Article : The buzz around MonaLisa Touch

Relevance: Medium

Quality of Writing: High

Research Timeline: Human Research

View Related Clinical Trials

Most relevant for: Women experiencing vaginal symptoms from menopause

THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN UPDATED. The FDA issued an alert in July, 2018 noting that laser or radiofrequency devices that have received FDA clearance are ONLY cleared for treating abnormal or pre-cancerous cervical or vaginal tissue and genital warts and have NOT been approved for vaginal rejuvenation. There are currently clinical trials enrolling women to study whether laser and radiofrequency devices can improve vaginal atrophy and other menopausal symptoms. 

For many young breast cancer survivors and high-risk women, the side effects from early menopause after treatment and surgery can negatively impact their personal lives. This XRAYS looks at one of the many recent media articles on a laser procedure called MonaLisa Touch. The article, "Is Laser Treatment for Vaginal Atrophy Safe?"  was published online in 2017 by FOX News and written by Dr. Manny Alvarez. XRAYS will discuss what this laser procedure actually is and how it may impact a young breast cancer patient’s life after treatment. (1/19/18)

Read More

Relevance: Medium-Low

Strength of Science: Medium-Low

Research Timeline: Human Research

View Related Clinical Trials

Study : No new high-risk breast cancer genes here

Relevance: Medium-Low

Strength of Science: Medium-Low

Research Timeline: Human Research

View Related Clinical Trials

Most relevant for: People with a family history of breast cancer but no known inherited mutation

While some of the genes that cause hereditary breast cancer are known (for example, inherited mutations in genes like BRCA, ATM and PALB2), others remain unidentified. Two studies found 72 DNA changes (also known as “variants” or “SNPs”) that affect breast cancer risk. These variants are different from mutations in genes that dramatically increase cancer risk. Most of these new variants are located outside of the portion of DNA that is used to make proteins. Further research is needed on these new variants before they can be used by doctors to help people understand and manage their risk for cancer. (1/12/18)

Read More

Relevance: Medium-High

Quality of Writing: Medium-High

View Related Clinical Trials

Article : Coping with the financial burden of breast cancer

Relevance: Medium-High

Quality of Writing: Medium-High

View Related Clinical Trials

Most relevant for: People diagnosed with breast cancer

U.S. News & World Report recently talked to three breast cancer survivors, including two young women, about how they handled out-of-pocket costs and other medical expenses after their cancer diagnosis. (Posted 1/4/18)

Read More

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

View Related Clinical Trials

Study : Does extending hormonal therapy impact risk of breast cancer recurrence?

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

View Related Clinical Trials

Most relevant for: Women with early-stage ER-positive breast cancer

Hormonal therapy significantly reduces the risk of recurrence for women with early-stage estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Standard hormonal therapy is given for 5 years; extending that therapy for a longer period offers additional protection but has added side effects. This study looked at women who stopped hormonal therapy after 5 years and identified factors that may guide the decision to extend treatment.  (12/21/17)

Read More

Relevance: High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Study : Birth control and breast cancer risk among younger women

Relevance: High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Most relevant for: Young women on, or considering taking hormonal birth control

On December 7, 2017 the New England Journal of Medicine published results from a study by Lina Mørrch of the University of Copenhagen and colleagues showing that hormonal contraceptives (birth control) increase the risk of breast cancer. The study is unique because it is one of the first to specifically assess the breast cancer risk associated with newer, low-dosage methods of contraception. The large and significant effort analyzed medical data of nearly 1.8 million young women in Denmark on average for over 10.9 years. Results were covered widely in the U.S. by many major media outlets, including the New York Times, USA Today, Forbes and Time.  (12/14/17)

Read More

Relevance: Medium-High

Quality of Writing: High

Article : Dense breasts and mammograms: Jill Goodacre’s story

Relevance: Medium-High

Quality of Writing: High

Most relevant for: Women with dense breast tissue on mammograms

Korin Miller’s piece for SELF magazine focuses on why women with dense breasts may need more than a screening mammogram. Miller highlights the recent story in People magazine of Jill Goodacre, a former Victoria’s Secret model and the wife of recording artist and talk show host Harry Connick Jr. Goodacre told of her breast cancer diagnosis 5 years ago after having additional screening of her dense breast tissue following a normal mammogram.  (12/8/17)

Read More