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.
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Keyword: brca
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Patient outcomes and experiences of going flat
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: Women considering mastectomy without breast reconstruction.
Some patients with early-stage breast cancer or those considering risk-reducing surgery may choose mastectomy without reconstruction. This is often referred to as “going flat.” The results of this study suggest that surgeons play a significant role in supporting a patient’s decision to go flat. (3/23/2021)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Breastfeeding may lower risk of ovarian cancer in women with BRCA mutations
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Most relevant for: Women considering breastfeeding who have inherited BRCA mutations.
Data from a large-scale study suggests that breastfeeding may protect against ovarian cancer in women with inherited mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2. (1/28/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Women support delayed removal of ovaries
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Most relevant for: Women at high risk of ovarian cancer who are considering undergoing risk-reducing surgery.
Risk-reducing early removal of fallopian tubes followed by removal of ovaries at a later date was acceptable to women at high risk of ovarian cancer due to an inherited mutation in a recent study. This was especially true for women worried about sexual dysfunction associated with surgical menopause. (12/24/20)
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Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Inherited gene mutations found in pancreatic cancer families in Spain
Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People with pancreatic cancer and a family history of pancreatic or other cancers
This study looked for inherited mutations in genes known to be linked to hereditary pancreatic cancer. The results provide additional evidence that most hereditary pancreatic cancer is due to inherited mutations in genes that were previously associated with other forms of cancer. (10/29/20)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Knowing about an inherited BRCA mutation improves outcomes for women with breast cancer
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: Young women with, or at high risk for an inherited BRCA mutation
Inherited mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are linked to a high lifetime risk of breast and other cancers. This study shows that women who know that they have a BRCA mutation before they are diagnosed with breast cancer have improved outcomes including diagnosis at earlier stages and improved overall survival. (10/26/20)
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Study : Among women with breast cancer, who should have genetic testing for an inherited mutation?
Most relevant for: Women diagnosed with breast cancer who do not know if they have an inherited mutation in a gene linked to breast cancer
Which breast cancer patients should consider genetic testing? Knowing whether you have an inherited mutation may inform the decisions you and your healthcare provider make about treatment. But it can also increase stress and anxiety. This XRAY reviews a study of how different guidelines affect genetic testing recommendations for people with breast cancer. (8/27/20)
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