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
Categories Genetic Testing, Prevention
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 may increase risk for endometrial cancer
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations
A Dutch study added further evidence that women with a BRCA1 mutation may have an elevated risk for endometrial cancer. The study found that the endometrial cancer in women with either a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation was more likely to be an aggressive form of cancer associated with a poor outcomes. (posted 11/30/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
Read More
Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Do sugared beverages increase the risk of early-onset colorectal cancer?
Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: Healthy people with an average colorectal cancer risk
A study of female nurses in the U.S. suggests that a high intake of sugar-sweetened beverages may increase the risk of colorectal cancer before age 50. However, researchers saw few early-onset colorectal cancer cases which limited the findings. (posted 9/21/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
Read More
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.
Read More
Article : Overview of pancreatic cancer treatment options
Most relevant for: People with pancreatic cancer
This review looks at current strategies for pancreatic cancer care and potential future therapies. (posted 7/28/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
Read More
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.
Read More
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Birth control pills may offer long-term protection against endometrial and ovarian cancer
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People concerned about endometrial, ovarian or breast cancer risk
A large study showed that birth control pills may protect against endometrial and ovarian cancers, even years after use was discontinued. (posted 6/1/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
Read More
Update : FDA allows testing of a vaccine designed to prevent breast cancer
Most relevant for: Patients with non-metastatic triple-negative breast cancer at high risk of recurrence.
Scientists have been working for many years to develop a vaccine that will prevent breast cancer. The FDA recently announced that the first clinical trial to test a preventive breast cancer vaccine can begin. This vaccine is the result of over a decade of research in animals and human cells. While researchers will first test the vaccine in women who have breast cancer, they hope to use this vaccine in the future to prevent breast cancer. (posted 5/25/21)
THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN UPDATED on 10/12/2021: The clinical trial discussed in this XRAY review has begun recruiting participants. Researchers hope to enroll 24 patients with non-metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. The trial is being conducted at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. More information on this trial can be found here.
Este artículo está disponible en español.
Read More
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Daily high-dose aspirin taken for at least 2 years reduces the risk of colorectal cancer but not other cancers in people with Lynch syndrome
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People with Lynch syndrome
Research has shown that daily aspirin use can reduce the risk of colon and other cancers. The Cancer Prevention Program 2 (CaPP2) study looked at the effect of daily aspirin in patients with Lynch syndrome. After 10 years of follow-up, the results showed that taking daily aspirin for two years reduced the frequency of colon cancer in patients with Lynch syndrome, and importantly, did not result in an increase in side-effects or complications. No benefit was seen for other Lynch syndrome-related cancers, including endometrial cancer. (5/17/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
Read More
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.
Read More
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Body Mass Index (BMI) may affect how well aspirin use protects against colorectal and ovarian cancer
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People concerned about their risk of colorectal or ovarian cancer.
This study looked at the impact of daily aspirin use on the risk for many types of cancers and whether this effect can be modified by risk factors such as obesity, smoking, physical inactivity or a family history of cancer. Daily aspirin use:
- lowered the risk for colorectal cancer, but this effect was lost as Body Mass Index (BMI) increased.
- lowered the risk of ovarian cancer risk among obese women.
- offered little or no protection against breast, endometrial or advanced prostate cancer.
(posted 3/19/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
Read More