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
Relevance: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Guideline : Expert guidelines on COVID-19 vaccines and timing of breast screening tests
Relevance: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People considering screening mammography after getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccines work by helping the immune system destroy the virus. Lymph nodes are an important part of the immune system. COVID-19 vaccines may cause temporary swelling in some lymph nodes, which may look suspicious on a mammogram. The Society for Breast Imaging and other professional organizations have released recommendations for the timing of mammograms after COVID-19 vaccines. (3/30/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
Read MoreUpdate : FDA approves new imaging drug for detecting spread of prostate cancer
Most relevant for: Men with prostate cancer
On December 1, 2020 the FDA approved a new type of imaging technology to confirm the spread of newly diagnosed prostate cancer that is suspected to be metastatic. The approval also includes use for confirming suspected recurrence in men who have rising PSA after treatment. The approval is based on two clinical trials that showed this new technique to be safe and consistent in accurately detecting cancer that has spread beyond the prostate gland. (1/7/21)
THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN UPDATED on 5/10/2022: On March 23, 2022 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new drug called Pluvicto to treat patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. ON the same day, the FDA also approved a new imaging drug called Locametz (a brand of Gallium 68 PSMA-11) for identification of those patients who would benefit from treatment with Pluvicto. Read about the FDA approval of Pluvicto and Locametz here.
Este artículo está disponible en español.
Read MoreRelevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Post Approval
View Related Clinical TrialsStudy : Inherited gene mutations found in pancreatic cancer families in Spain
Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Post Approval
View Related Clinical TrialsMost relevant for: People with pancreatic cancer and a family history of pancreatic or other cancers
This study looked for inherited mutations in genes known to be linked to hereditary pancreatic cancer. The results provide additional evidence that most hereditary pancreatic cancer is due to inherited mutations in genes that were previously associated with other forms of cancer. (10/29/20)
Read MoreRelevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
View Related Clinical TrialsStudy : Knowing about an inherited BRCA mutation improves outcomes for women with breast cancer
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
View Related Clinical TrialsMost relevant for: Young women with, or at high risk for an inherited BRCA mutation
Inherited mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are linked to a high lifetime risk of breast and other cancers. This study shows that women who know that they have a BRCA mutation before they are diagnosed with breast cancer have improved outcomes including diagnosis at earlier stages and improved overall survival. (10/26/20)
Read MoreRelevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
View Related Clinical TrialsStudy : New imaging technology shows promise in detecting of spread of prostate cancer
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
View Related Clinical TrialsMost relevant for: Men with high-risk prostate cancer
A new imaging technique is currently being tested to see if it can detect the spread of prostate cancer sooner than standard imaging. Two clinical trials show that the new technique can detect the spread of prostate cancer in men who are newly diagnosed and in men whose cancer returns after treatment. (10/16/20)
Read MoreRelevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : What is the risk for a new breast cancer diagnosis in the other breast for women with a BRCA1, BRCA2 or TP53 mutation?
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: Women diagnosed with breast cancer who have a mutation in BRCA1, BRCA2 or TP53
For women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, knowing their risk of breast cancer in the other (contralateral) breast can help them make decisions about surgery and screening. This study shows that women with an inherited mutation in BRCA1, BRCA2 or TP53 have an increased risk for contralateral breast cancer. This risk is highest in women with a TP53 mutation. (6/6/20)
Read MoreRelevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
View Related Clinical TrialsStudy : Cancer risk associated with inherited mutations in Lynch syndrome genes
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
View Related Clinical TrialsMost 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)
Read MoreRelevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
View Related Clinical TrialsStudy : MRI or mammograms for detecting breast cancer in families with unknown genetic mutations?
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
View Related Clinical TrialsMost 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)
Read MoreRelevance: 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.
Read MoreRelevance: Medium-High
Quality of Writing: Medium-High
Personal Story : A young woman's story of genetic testing and risk-reducing mastectomy
Relevance: Medium-High
Quality of Writing: Medium-High
Most relevant for: Young women of color with a BRCA mutation
Alejandra Campoverdi comes from a family with three generations of breast cancer. As a former White House aide and active educator in the Latina community, she has openly shared her story of genetic testing, her BRCA2 mutation and her plans for risk-reducing mastectomy at age 39. (6/6/19)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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