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 Prevention, Screening
Relevance: Medium
Research Timeline: Human Research
Update : Breast cancer vaccine trial begins enrolling people with BRCA1 and PALB2 mutations
Most relevant for: People with a BRCA1 or PALB2 mutation undergoing prophylactic bilateral mastectomy
A new vaccine was first tested on people diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. The vaccine is now being tested to prevent breast cancer among people with an inherited mutation in BRCA1 or PALB2 who are at high risk and who are planning to have a risk-reducing mastectomy. (Posted 1/9/23) Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Topic : Cancer disparities in American Indian and Alaska Native populations
Most relevant for: Americans Indians and Alaska Natives
The American Cancer Society released a special section in their 2022 Cancer Facts & Figures report that discussed cancer disparities in American Indian and Alaska Native populations in the United States. This review highlights the special section’s main points, including disparities in cancer screening, diagnosis and survival rates in native communities, as well as factors contributing to those disparities. (Posted 12/20/22)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Liquid biopsies personalize early-stage colon cancer treatment
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People with early-stage colorectal cancer
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.
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Prostate cancer screening may benefit people with Lynch syndrome
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Most relevant for: People with Lynch syndrome
Initial results from the IMPACT trial show that PSA testing to screen for prostate cancer in people with Lynch syndrome can detect aggressive early prostate cancers. These findings support the use of PSA screening in men with Lynch syndrome, particularly men with an inherited mutation in an MSH2 or MSH6 gene. (Posted 11/10/22)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Resistant starch may help prevent some cancers in people with Lynch syndrome
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People with Lynch syndrome and people with a personal and/or family history that suggests 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)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Screening for pancreatic cancer detects early-stage disease and improves survival
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People at increased risk for pancreatic cancer because of family history or an inherited mutation.
A research study has shown that screening for pancreatic cancer in people with an inherited mutation or family history was able to detect early-stage pancreatic cancers and improve survival. These results will likely change pancreatic cancer screening guidelines for high-risk individuals (Posted 8/30/22)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Risk-reducing ovarian cancer surgery and quality of life
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Most relevant for: People with an inherited BRCA mutation
People with an inherited BRCA gene mutation are recommended to have surgery to remove their ovaries before the age of natural menopause to reduce their risk of ovarian cancer. This surgery can cause short-term and long-term effects. This study assesses the quality of life among people who have their fallopian tubes surgically removed and later have their ovaries removed compared to people who have their ovaries and fallopian tubes removed at the same time. (Posted 7/26/22). Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Metastatic prostate cancer cases increased as screening use declined
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People who are concerned about their own or their loved one’s risk of prostate cancer
The number of people diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer increased following a change in recommendations around the use of routine prostate cancer screening. (posted 6/13/22)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium-High
Article : Breast cancer risk for transgender men with inherited mutations
Most relevant for: Transgender men with an inherited mutation
There is little information related to the risks and treatment options for transgender men and nonbinary people who are at high-risk for breast cancer due to an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. We review an expert viewpoint on the implications of a BRCA mutation for transgender men undergoing breast removal as part of their gender-affirming care plan. (posted 5/19/22)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : New tool to predict breast cancer risk for Black women
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: Black women in the U.S.
An important part of making decisions about breast cancer screening and prevention is knowing your breast cancer risk. Specific tools are used to identify people who would benefit from early and/or additional screening and chemoprevention or those who would most benefit from genetic counseling and testing. Because these tools were developed using data mostly from white women, they are unable to predict cancer risk as well for Black women. To begin to address these gaps, researchers developed a new tool specifically designed to predict breast cancer risk for Black women. This tool has been shown to work well, especially for younger Black women. (posted 3/22/2022) Este artículo está disponible en español.
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