Relevant for: People with triple negative breast cancer, In portal: Breast Cancer

Study : Cost savings associated with a shorter course or omission of radiation treatment for early-stage breast cancer

Relevance: Medium

Strength of Science: Medium

Research Timeline: Human Research

Most relevant for:

Breast cancer treatment costs are high. Lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy is a common treatment for early-stage breast cancer; however, patients may receive different radiation regimens, which carry different costs. Authors of this research study wanted to estimate the potential health care cost savings if early-stage breast cancer patients received the least expensive radiation regimen for which they were safely eligible. (6/20/17)

Study : Pregnancy around the time of a breast cancer diagnosis does not negatively affect survival

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium

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Most relevant for: Young women diagnosed during or right after pregnancy and young survivors considering pregnancy after breast cancer

The number of women who become pregnant around the time of, or after a breast cancer diagnosis is increasing. However, it is unclear whether pregnancy around the time of a breast cancer diagnosis impacts survival. This recently published study demonstrates that the timing of pregnancy does not negatively affect breast cancer survival rates. (5/24/17)

Study : Does scalp cooling help prevent hair loss after chemotherapy?

Relevance: High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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Most relevant for: Patient undergoing chemotherapy

Hair loss is one of the most recognized and distressing side effects of some chemotherapies. Two studies looked at the use of scalp cooling therapy to help reduce hair loss after chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer. (5/15/17) 

Update: Based on data from clinical trials, the FDA approved Dignicap scalp cooling device for treatment in patients diagnosed with solid tumors who are receiving chemotherapy. 

Study : Does eating soy affect the risk of death in breast cancer survivors?

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium

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Is eating soy safe for people who have had breast cancer? This topic has been controversial among health care providers, patients, and survivors for many years because research has yielded mixed results. Some studies suggest people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer should eat more soy products, while other studies recommend they eat less or avoid it altogether. Which should it be? Adding to this research is a new study that asked breast cancer survivors about their soy consumption before and after diagnosis. (4/27/17)

Study : Nearly half of breast cancer patients experience a severe side effect after treatment

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium

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Most relevant for: People diagnosed with early stage breast cancer

While clinical trials track treatment side effects, fewer studies look at the burden of side effects on women undergoing breast cancer treatment or compare the side effects of different treatments. This study looks at the severity of side effects experienced by women treated for early-stage breast cancer. (4/11/17)

Study : Friends and family may help breast cancer survival

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

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Most relevant for: People diagnosed with breast cancer

Does having a large social network help breast cancer survivors have better outcomes? Research from the current study found that socially isolated breast cancer survivors had an increased risk of recurrence and breast cancer-specific mortality. (3/16/17)

Study : Patient experiences with genetic testing

Relevance: High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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Most relevant for: Women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer

Patients can now find out if they have a mutation in more than 20 different genes that are associated with cancer risk, thanks to research advances and the decreasing cost of genetic testing. However, patients’ experiences and use of genetic counseling and testing with these changes are unknown. Do patients want genetic testing? Are they getting tested? (3/7/17)

Study : Hot chili pepper component slows growth and kills laboratory-grown breast cancer cells

Relevance: Medium-Low

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Lab Research

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Most relevant for: This research is not relevant to people yet

Finding new treatments that target triple-negative breast cancer is an area of great interest. An early step in developing these treatments is learning more about the biology of tumor in the laboratory. This study looked at how capsaicin, the spicy component of chili peppers, might work with a protein found in many cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer, to stop cancer cell growth. This is the first step in a long process towards developing new treatments for triple-negative breast cancer. (2/14/17)

Study : High vitamin D levels at breast cancer diagnosis may be associated with a better prognosis

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium

Research Timeline: Human Research

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Most relevant for: Women at average risk for breast cancer and newly diagnosed women

Vitamin D is most known for its role in maintaining bone health but vitamin D has additional roles in keeping us healthy. In this study, researchers found that breast cancer patients who had the highest amounts of vitamin D in their blood (slightly over the recommended levels) had better health outcomes, including overall survival, than women with lower amounts of vitamin D. This finding adds to the growing evidence for the role of vitamin D in cancer, but it does not change how breast cancer is prevented or treated. (1/10/17)

Article : After mastectomy: reconstruct or not?

Relevance: Medium-High

Quality of Writing: Medium-High

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Most relevant for: Woman who are facing mastectomy

Today, more women know they can have breast reconstruction after removing their breasts for cancer treatment or risk reduction. But what about choosing not to undergo reconstruction? Roni Caryn Rabin writes about the experiences of women who decide against reconstruction in her New York Times piece “‘Going Flat’ After Breast Cancer.” (12/14/16)