Categories Cancer Risk

Study : Gaps in genetic testing and decision-making for women with early-stage breast cancer

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

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Most relevant for: People diagnosed with early stage breast cancer

Genetic testing for cancer risk is now more affordable and easier to obtain. As a result, many breast cancer patients are tested without ever seeing a genetic counselor. Genetic testing results affect treatment decision making, but they can be confusing, especially if patients do not receive genetic counseling. This study looks at breast cancer patients’ experiences following genetic testing and how testing results affect surgical decision making. (7/14/17)

Study : Diet during teen years and early adulthood is linked to breast cancer risk

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium

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Most relevant for: Adolescent and young adult women

During teen years, breast tissue grows rapidly in young girls and is more likely to be harmed by substances that are known to cause cancer. Few studies have looked at the relationship between diet during puberty and breast cancer risk. This study looks at how a woman’s diet during their teenage years and early adulthood is associated with breast cancer development later in life. (6/30/17)

Study : FDA report claims women with breast implants may be at risk for rare cancer

Relevance: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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Most relevant for: Women who had or are consideration breast reconstruction with implants

THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN UPDATED. The FDA issued an update in March, 2018 about Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). This was covered in a more recent XRAY review. On 07/25/19, the FDA announced a recall of Allergan BIOCELL textured implants and expanders, due to their association with BIA-ALCL. This was also covered in a more recent XRAY review.

Recent headlines highlighted an FDA report stating that patients with breast implants may be at increased risk for a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. What is the scientific evidence behind this claim? (4/21/17)

Study : Routine breast cancer screening leads to overdiagnosis

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-Low

Most relevant for: Women at average risk for breast cancer

Routine breast cancer screening for women of average risk has been controversial for many years because some believe that the benefits do not outweigh the risks. Recent headlines covering a study in Denmark suggests that routine breast cancer screening leads to “overdiagnosis” of breast cancer. (4/4/17)

Study : Does working night shifts increase breast cancer risk?

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium

Research Timeline: Human Research

Most relevant for: Women who work night shifts or have in the past

The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified night shift work as a possible risk factor for breast cancer in 2007, although the majority of the evidence for this claim came from studies of animals after their normal sleep-wake cycle was disrupted. The authors of this study surveyed women from three different cohorts to examine whether night shift work can increase a woman’s breast cancer risk. (3/24/17)

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 : A step in the development of a new breast cancer risk assessment tool for Hispanic women

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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Most relevant for: Hispanic women

Current tools used to calculate breast cancer risk make their estimations based on data from non-Hispanic white women and may not accurately predict breast cancer risk in women of other races and ethnicities. With further testing, a new risk assessment tool developed specifically for Hispanic women could more accurately predict breast cancer risk in women who do not have mutations in BRCA or other genes associated with hereditary breast cancer. (02/07/17)

Study : Does prior antidepressant use affect the treatment breast cancer patients receive?

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium

Research Timeline: Human Research

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Most relevant for: Women diagnosed with breast cancer who have received antidepressants

Previous research found an association between depression and survival in breast cancer patients, but the reasons for this association are unclear. Researchers in this study found that women who had been previously prescribed antidepressants were less likely to receive breast cancer treatment that followed national guidelines than those who had not. Although the difference was small, it underscores the need for patients to discuss any history of depression with their health care providers. (1/24/17)

Study : Women with breast cancer symptoms but no lump may wait longer to seek medical care

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium

Most relevant for: People with breast cancer symptoms

Some patients take longer than others before getting a potential breast cancer checked by their health care provider. Believing that women who have breast cancer symptoms but have no lump may wait longer, researchers in this study used data from women who were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 and 2010 to identify possible explanations. (1/18/17)

Personal Story : Men get breast cancer too

Relevance: Medium-High

Quality of Writing: Medium

Most relevant for: Men diagnosed with breast cancer

Cathy Free's piece for People, “Men Have Breasts Too: New York Man Who Survived Stage 2 Breast Cancer Spreads Message,” tells the stories of two men whose experiences with breast cancer inspired them to speak openly about breast cancer awareness for men. (11/29/16)