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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Categories Alternative Treatments
Update : New drug combination for the second treatment of some HR-positive advanced breast cancers
Most relevant for: People with hormone receptor (HR)-positive or HER2-negative breast cancer that has spread outside the breast tissue.
The FDA approved Truqap plus Faslodex for the treatment of metastatic hormone receptor-positive (HR-positive), HER2-negative breast cancer that returned or worsened after treatment with hormone therapy. The approval is for treating cancers in people whose tumors had a mutation in one of three genes. For people with one of these mutations, Truqap improved the time until their cancer came back or got worse. (Posted 2/9/24)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Update : Strategies for managing pancreatic cancer pain
Most relevant for: People with pancreatic cancer who are dealing with related pain.
Abdominal pain is often a severe, ongoing symptom of pancreatic cancer, yet little research has been done on how to best reduce this pain. The authors of this review discuss current strategies for managing cancer-related pain and their effectiveness. (Posted 10/31/22)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Acupuncture may ease breast cancer treatment side effects
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People considering acupuncture for managing breast cancer treatment symptoms.
Acupuncture can ease some symptoms of breast cancer treatment. Multiple studies found that acupuncture is a safe and effective strategy to manage certain symptoms but also called for more rigorous research on the topic. (Posted 9/28/22) Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Personal Story : Improving the quality of life for people with metastatic breast cancer
Most relevant for: People diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer
A Washington Post article described the cancer experience of a young woman living with metastatic breast cancer. It also highlights how integrative medicine and palliative care, including acupuncture, massage, yoga, pain management, mental health therapy and nutrition can improve quality of life for people with metastatic cancer. (3/10/20)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Study : Can taking dietary supplements during chemotherapy do more harm than good?
Most relevant for: People undergoing breast cancer treatment with chemotherapy
It's common for people to take dietary supplements after being diagnosed with cancer; however, they may reduce how well chemotherapy works. A new study suggests that some dietary supplements may cause more harm than benefit for breast cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. (3/4/20)
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Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium-Low
Study : Breast cancers can disappear without treatment: fact or fiction?
Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium-Low
Most relevant for: Women with abnormal mammograms
Previous studies and news headlines have reported that it is possible for breast cancers to regress or disappear on their own. Is this true? The authors of the current research study show that of 479 untreated breast cancers detected by screening mammography, none regressed or spontaneously disappeared on their own. (9/7/17)
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Article : FDA busts myths of preventing and treating cancer by eating apricot kernels, herbs, and other ingredients
Most relevant for: People diagnosed with or concerned about their risk for cancer
Maggie Fox (NBC News) writes about a new FDA report that warns of 14 "fraudulent” cancer products claiming to either cure or treat cancer (1). The companies that sell these products claim that many of them also prevent cancer, but are they safe or effective? (6/26/17)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Can acupressure be used to treat cancer-related fatigue?
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Most relevant for: Breast cancer survivors and people in treatment who are experiencing fatigue
Breast cancer survivors commonly report experiencing considerable fatigue, which can lead to sleep problems and poor quality of life. Yet, there are no good therapies for these patients. This research study looks at whether self-administered acupressure can help breast cancer survivors with their fatigue. (8/9/16)
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Relevance: Low
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Animal Studies
Study : Do antioxidants encourage the spread of cancer cells?
Relevance: Low
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Animal Studies
Most relevant for: The clinical relevance of this study for people is not clear
Scientists do not yet know why some cancers spread to other parts of the body (a process called metastasis). A study in mice suggested that high doses of some antioxidants (chemicals that can protect cells from damage) might actually make it easier for cancer cells to spread. (12/01/2015)
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