Keyword: medicine, Categories Prevention

Study : Frequent aspirin use may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer

Relevance: Medium

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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Most relevant for: Healthy people at high-risk of ovarian cancer.

Aspirin may help lower the risk of ovarian cancer in people who have a high risk of the disease, according to a new analysis of 17 studies. While other preventive strategies have been found to more effectively lower the likelihood of developing ovarian cancer in high-risk women, taking aspirin daily or almost daily may reduce a person’s risk of developing ovarian cancer by 13 percent. The benefit was greater among people with additional risk factors for the disease. (Posted 2/22/23)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

Study : Birth control pills may offer long-term protection against endometrial and ovarian cancer

Relevance: High

Strength of Science: High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

Most relevant for: People concerned about endometrial, ovarian or breast cancer risk

A large study showed that birth control pills may protect against endometrial and ovarian cancers, even years after use was discontinued. (posted 6/1/21)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

Study : Do Vitamin B supplements alter breast cancer risk for women with BRCA mutations?

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

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Most relevant for: High risk women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation

Vitamins are an essential part of our diet. Vitamin supplements are often used to improve general health. This study explores how vitamin B supplements may affect breast cancer risk in women with BRCA mutations. (5/17/19)

Study : Evaluation of some direct-to-consumer genetic testing reveals inaccuracies and misinterpretations

Relevance: Medium

Strength of Science: Medium

Research Timeline: Human Research

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Most relevant for: People who are considering or have had direct-to-consumer testing

A clinical genetic testing laboratory examined results from direct-to-consumer genetic testing ordered directly by patients. They found many instances of false positives—reported mutations that were not actually present—and in some cases, reports of variants that "increased risk," but were actually benign. This study emphasized the importance of involving genetics experts in the interpretation of genetic test results. (6/28/18)

Study : Early research on a drug to prevent breast cancer

Relevance: Medium

Strength of Science: Medium

Research Timeline: Human Research

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Most relevant for: Women with a BRCA1 mutation

Many researchers are interested in non-surgical options to reduce the higher-than-average risk of developing breast cancer in BRCA mutation carriers. This research study identified a type of drug, called a “RANK ligand inhibitor,” that may prevent breast cancer. Among mice that were genetically engineered to have no BRCA1 genes, those that were given the drug developed tumors less frequently than those that did not. While this is an exciting early study for BRCA mutation carriers, more work and human clinical trials need to be done before this can be used as a prevention therapy in humans. (7/12/16)

Update added 11/24/19: The RANK ligand inhibitor, denosumab is currently being studied as a possible breast and ovarian cancer preventive agent in human clinical trials.

Study : Breastfeeding may reduce hormone receptor negative breast cancer risk

Relevance: Medium

Strength of Science: Medium-Low

Research Timeline: Human Research

Most relevant for: Women who are pregnant or have just given birth and are deciding about breastfeeding

Previous studies have shown that women who breastfeed have a reduced breast cancer risk. This study examines this association in the different breast cancer subtypes (ER, PR, HER2 negative/positive) and finds that breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of ER-/PR- breast cancer. (11/16/2015)