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 Screening
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: 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: 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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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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Update : Blood tests called liquid biopsies for cancer screening, monitoring and treatment
Most relevant for: People considering a liquid biopsy to screen for cancer
Could a simple blood test change cancer detection, treatment and monitoring? Several companies are offering a type of blood test known as a liquid biopsy to detect multiple cancers at their earliest stages, monitor response to treatment and help choose the best treatment. Although progress has been made using liquid biopsies to treat cancer, these tests have not yet been shown to detect cancer early enough to save lives. (posted 9/29/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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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.
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Update : Cancer disparities: Colorectal cancer in African Americans
Most relevant for: African Americans concerned about colorectal cancer
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) released a 2020 report about cancer disparities among racial and ethnic groups in the United States. In this XRAY review, we highlight data from the report about the burden of colorectal cancer in African Americans, who have the highest rates of diagnosis and death related to the disease among all racial and ethnic groups. (Posted 4/27/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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