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-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Cancer risk associated with inherited mutations in Lynch syndrome genes
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Most relevant for: People with Lynch syndrome mutations
Lynch syndrome is the most common inherited cause of cancer affecting about 1 in 300 people. People with Lynch syndrome have an increased risk of colorectal endometrial and other cancers. A large study followed people with mutations in the Lynch syndrome genes MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2 to determine the risk of other types of cancer. (2/21/20)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-Low
Study : Do hair dyes or straighteners increase breast cancer risk?
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-Low
Most relevant for: Young women who use hair dye or straighteners
Many women use products to color or straighten their hair. A large U.S. study linked the use of permanent hair dye and straighteners to increased breast cancer risk, particularly among black women. This XRAY reviews the limitations of this study and highlights the need for additional research before accepting these conclusions. (1/29/20)
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Women who exercise have lower breast cancer risk whether or not they have a family history of breast cancer
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: Young, high risk women
The effect of physical activity on breast cancer risk was looked at in a study of over 15,000 women. The results suggest that exercise lowers breast cancer risk regardless of family history of breast cancer or menopausal status. (12/6/19)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Update : Genetic causes of hereditary pancreatic cancer: BRCA and beyond
Most relevant for: People diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
An update on hereditary pancreatic cancer presented at the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting covered genes and lifetime risk. The update emphasized that all pancreatic cancer patients should be offered genetic counseling and testing. Genetic test results may impact treatment, screening for other cancers and risk to family members. (11/26/19)
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Relevance: Medium-Low
Research Timeline: Human Research
Personal Story : A “flu shot” against breast cancer? Not so fast
Relevance: Medium-Low
Research Timeline: Human Research
Most relevant for: Women diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)
There have been multiple reports in the media of a Florida woman who had a "shot" to treat her DCIS with a promising outcome. This XRAY reviews the underlying story about this early breast cancer vaccine trial. (10/25/19)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Study : Does eating meat affect breast cancer risk?
Most relevant for: Women with a family history of breast cancer
Eating meat has been suggested to increase breast cancer risk. The recent Sister Study looked at meat type, cooking methods and breast cancer risk in a study of 42,012 women. (9/10/19)
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : MRI or mammograms for detecting breast cancer in families with unknown genetic mutations?
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People with a personal or family history of cancer where no mutation has been found
MRI and mammograms are used together to detect breast cancer in high-risk women who test positive for a BRCA or other gene mutation that increases the risk for breast cancer. For women with a family history of breast cancer but no known genetic mutation, increased screening is recommended. But what method is best? A recent clinical trial in the Netherlands compared MRI and mammography for this population. (8/15/19)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Study : Diagnosis and treatment delays in young women with breast cancer
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Most relevant for: Young women who find a breast lump and young women newly-diagnosed with breast cancer
Young women are more likely to have delays in a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Factors that affect these delays include pregnancy, breastfeeding, financial concerns and having a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. (8/5/19)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Guideline : FDA asks Allergan to recall certain textured breast implants
Most relevant for: Women with, or considering breast reconstruction with implants
On July 25, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration requested that breast implant manufacturer Allergan recall its BIOCELL textured implants and expanders due to an association with a rare type of lymphoma called Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma or BIA-ALCL. The FDA does not recommend removing implants for people who do not have disease symptoms. This XRAYS review updates information about this FDA recall. (7/29/19)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: High
Study : A low-fat diet may decrease postmenopausal breast cancer deaths
Most relevant for: Post-menopausal women with no breast cancer diagnosis
Research reported at the 2019 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology establishes a link between dietary fat intake and its impact on postmenopausal women’s risk of dying from breast cancer. (6/13/19)
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