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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Keyword: BRCA1
Update : Breast cancer vaccine trial begins enrolling people with BRCA1 and PALB2 mutations
Most relevant for: People with a BRCA1 or PALB2 mutation undergoing prophylactic bilateral mastectomy
A new vaccine was first tested on people diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. The vaccine is now being tested to prevent breast cancer among people with an inherited mutation in BRCA1 or PALB2 who are at high risk and who are planning to have a risk-reducing mastectomy. (Posted 1/9/23) Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Male breast cancer: Patient and surgeon experiences
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Most relevant for: Men with breast cancer
By surveying male breast cancer patients and the surgeons who treat them, researchers gained insight into the experiences of both groups, shedding light on an important issue for men with breast cancer. (Posted 12/22/22)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : More is not better: PARP dose can be safely reduced for people with ovarian cancer
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People taking a PARP inhibitor for ovarian cancer maintenance therapy
Maintenance therapy with a PARP inhibitor is now the standard of care for many people with advanced or recurrent ovarian cancer. However, PARP inhibitors may have significant side effects. This study shows that reducing the dose of a PARP inhibitor does not affect survival. (Posted 11/8/22)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Study : Teens and young adults respond well to learning about familial cancer risk
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Most relevant for: Mothers who have had genetic testing for BRCA1 or BRCA2 whether or not they have been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer
Little is known about how awareness of hereditary cancer in a high-risk family affects the quality of life of teens and young adults. This study looked at the lifestyle choices, cancer awareness and quality of life of adolescents and young adults whose mothers had undergone testing for a BRCA mutation. (Posted 10/11/2022) Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Update : PARP inhibitors withdrawn as third-line or later treatment for recurrent ovarian cancer
Most relevant for: people with recurrent ovarian cancer who have received 3 or more prior lines of treatment and who have an inherited or tumor mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 or whose tumor is HRD positive
Survival data from a clinical trial signaled that PARP inhibitors may not work as well as chemotherapy for patients with recurrent ovarian cancer who have received three or more lines of treatment. As a result, FDA approvals have been withdrawn for PARP inhibitors in this setting. This does not affect PARP inhibitor approvals for use as maintenance therapy for ovarian cancer. (Posted 10/4/22)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : PARP inhibitor treatment for metastatic prostate cancer shows most benefit in men with inherited BRCA mutations
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Most relevant for: People with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer who have an inherited or tumor mutation in BRCA2.
This study looked at the benefit of using the PARP inhibitor niraparib to treat metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Participants included those with an inherited or tumor mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 or an inherited or tumor mutation in another gene that affects DNA repair. Participants with an inherited or tumor mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 had better survival compared to those without a BRCA mutation. Side effects from niraparib were common, and consistent with previous reports for PARP inhibitors. (posted 9/6/2022)
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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Article : Rise in endometrial cancer affects Black women more than white women
Most relevant for: People concerned about their risk for endometrial cancer
The New York Times calls attention to the increase in a type of cancer of the uterus called endometrial cancer and how it disproportionately affects Black women. The article provides useful information about endometrial cancer while raising awareness of a significant and growing health disparity. (Posted 8/16/22)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: High
Quality of Writing: Medium-High
Article : How your ovarian cancer diagnosis can help your relatives
Relevance: High
Quality of Writing: Medium-High
Most relevant for: People diagnosed with ovarian cancer
This media article provides tips from experts and the CDC for talking to family members after a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. It highlights which family members may be at risk of developing ovarian cancer or passing on genes that increase risk. The article provides links to resources, talking points, alternative methods of communication and potential reactions. (Posted 7/28/22)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Risk-reducing ovarian cancer surgery and quality of life
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Most relevant for: People with an inherited BRCA mutation
People with an inherited BRCA gene mutation are recommended to have surgery to remove their ovaries before the age of natural menopause to reduce their risk of ovarian cancer. This surgery can cause short-term and long-term effects. This study assesses the quality of life among people who have their fallopian tubes surgically removed and later have their ovaries removed compared to people who have their ovaries and fallopian tubes removed at the same time. (Posted 7/26/22). Este artículo está disponible en español.
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