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.
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium
Study : Alcohol and breast cancer risk in African American women
Most relevant for: African American women who would like to lower their breast cancer risk
The link between alcohol intake and breast cancer is well known, but most studies have involved only White women. Recently, a large study of more than 22,000 African American (AA) women found that similar to White women, increased alcohol consumption is associated with a greater risk of breast cancer. (10/27/17)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium
Study : Beauty and the breast: hair product use and breast cancer risk
Most relevant for: Women who use hair products who are concerned about their risk for breast cancer
Past studies using mostly animal models showed a link between use of hair products (dyes, straighteners and relaxers) and increased risk of certain cancers. In this study, researchers looked at data on hair product use among African-American (AA) and White women to see if certain types of hair products increased breast cancer risk, and how that risk might differ between race and breast cancer hormone status. (9/27/2017)
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Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium
Study : Breast cancer rates are rapidly increasing among Asian women in California
Most relevant for: Asian American women
The majority of racial groups in the United States have seen declines in breast cancer rates. However, this study provides new insights into the patterns of breast cancer rates in Asian American subgroups in California. Using 26 years of data, this research found that breast cancer is rapidly increasing among this population, contrasting to a decline in rates among non-Hispanic white women in California and nationwide. (8/15/17)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : A step in the development of a new breast cancer risk assessment tool for Hispanic women
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)
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Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium
Study : Breast cancer mortality among Hispanic women in the United States varies by country of origin
Most relevant for:
"Hispanic" is a broad ethnic category that includes people from numerous countries. When discussing breast cancer statistics, Mexicans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans and people whose families originated in Central and South America are typically grouped into one Hispanic category. A new study looked at whether the country of origin affected breast cancer prevalence and mortality rates in Hispanic women in the U.S. (10/25/16)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Racial disparities in BRCA testing: Why?
Most relevant for: African American women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer
Black women receive BRCA testing less frequently than white women. Why is that? Researchers thought the reason might be that black and white women see different health care providers. However, new research suggests that disparities in physician recommendations for testing are the cause: black women with breast cancer were less likely to receive physician recommendations for BRCA testing than white women with breast cancer. There is a need to ensure equity in physician testing recommendations for black women. (7/21/16)
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : BRCA mutations more common than expected in young black women with breast cancer
Most relevant for: Young black women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer
Most estimates of the percentage of breast cancer patients with mutations in BRCA are based on studies in White women. These researchers found that Black women diagnosed at a young age with breast cancer were twice as likely to have a BRCA mutation than previously reported based on studies in White women with breast cancer diagnosed in the same age categories. This study shows how important it is for all Black women diagnosed with breast cancer before age 50 to speak with their doctor about genetic counseling and testing. (9/29/15)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: High
Study : All DCIS is not the same: Young women and African American women at higher risk after DCIS diagnosis
Most relevant for: Women diagnosed with DCIS
Diagnoses of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), sometimes called stage 0 breast cancer, have increased in recent decades. Many people with DCIS wonder if they need aggressive treatment. A study looking at the survival of over 100,000 women found that breast cancer mortality after DCIS is low (3%), and identified groups of women who are at higher risk after DCIS. (9/8/15)
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