Categories Cancer Risk

Study: Progestin birth control may slightly increase breast cancer risk

Different types of birth control carry different cancer risks. Birth control using the hormone progestin slightly increases the risk of breast cancer during use and for a few years after use. (Posted 7/10/23)

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Article: A food lover’s decision to remove her stomach highlights difficult decisions around cancer risk

National Public Radio reporter Sáša Woodruff shares her story of learning about her CDH1 mutation and making a decision about risk-reducing surgery. Mutations in the CDH1 gene significantly increase a person’s risk of stomach and breast cancers. Woodruff’s personal essay describes the psychological challenge of making decisions about risk-reducing surgeries and draws attention to a lesser-known mutation linked to hereditary cancer. (Posted 5/17/23)

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Study: Hormonal birth control may reduce ovarian cancer risk in people with BRCA mutations

Hormonal birth control pill is linked to reduced ovarian cancer among people with an inherited BRCA mutation. Longer-acting forms of birth control given by implant, injection or as an intrauterine device may be associated with lower ovarian cancer risk for people with an inherited BRCA mutation. (Posted 4/28/23)

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Study: Hair straightening products linked to small increased risk of endometrial cancer

Many people use products to straighten their hair. Use of these products, especially frequent use, is linked to a small increase in endometrial cancer.  (Posted 4/18/23)

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Study: Weight may affect breast cancer risk in women with an inherited BRCA mutation

A study that looked at normal breast cells from women with an inherited BRCA mutation found more DNA damage among women who were overweight (based on a measurement known as body mass index) than those who were not overweight. The results suggest that maintaining a lower weight may reduce breast cancer among this high-risk population. (Posted 3/30/23)

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Study: Increasing soy in your diet may lower your cancer risk

This study looked at a link between a diet rich in soy and cancer risk. With the addition of more recent literature, this study suggests that soy lowers the risk of cancer in the general population. (Posted 2/24/23)

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Study: Frequent aspirin use may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer

Aspirin may help lower the risk of ovarian cancer in people who have a high risk of the disease, according to a new analysis of 17 studies. While other preventive strategies have been found to more effectively lower the likelihood of developing ovarian cancer in high-risk women, taking aspirin daily or almost daily may reduce a person’s risk of developing ovarian cancer by 13 percent. The benefit was greater among people with additional risk factors for the disease. (Posted 2/22/23)

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Study: Liquid biopsies personalize early-stage colon cancer treatment

Liquid biopsies look for DNA or other products from cancer cells in the blood or other body fluids. These tests may be used to help find cancer recurrence early, monitor response to treatment or guide treatment selection for people diagnosed with cancer. This study looked at a type of liquid biopsy called “circulating tumor” (ctDNA) to identify people with early-stage colon cancer who can safely skip chemotherapy after surgery.  (Posted 11/22/22) Este artículo está disponible en español.

Study: Resistant starch may help prevent some cancers in people with Lynch syndrome

This study looked at whether a type of nutrient known as resistant starch could lower the risk of cancers in people with Lynch Syndrome. Researchers found that resistant starch can reduce the risk of non-colorectal cancers but not colorectal cancer. (Posted 10/17/22)

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Study: Teens and young adults respond well to learning about familial cancer risk

Little is known about how awareness of hereditary cancer in a high-risk family affects the quality of life of teens and young adults. This study looked at the lifestyle choices, cancer awareness and quality of life of adolescents and young adults whose mothers had undergone testing for a BRCA mutation. (Posted 10/11/2022) Este artículo está disponible en español.