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
In portal: Breast Cancer, Categories Prevention, Screening
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Genetic testing among people with cancer can find mutations that may affect treatment and prevention
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People diagnosed with cancer who have not yet had genetic testing
Despite national guidelines recommending genetic testing, less than 10 percent of eligible patients had genetic testing within two years after their cancer diagnosis. Among those who had testing, 10-30 percent had an inherited mutation that could affect their medical care. (Posted 3/15/2024)
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Relevance: Medium
Update : News from the FDA– new breast cancer treatment, thermography warning and implant screening updates
Relevance: Medium
Most relevant for: People with HR-positive and HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. People with silicone breast implants. People considering thermography screening
This XRAY review is a summary of FDA breast cancer updates from July to December 2023. This includes a new drug approval and two consumer updates. (Posted 2/21/24)
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Update : A breast cancer vaccine for people with an inherited BRCA1, BRCA2 or PALB2 mutation
Most relevant for: People at increased risk for breast cancer undergoing prophylactic bilateral mastectomy due to an inherited mutation in BRCA1, BRCA2 or PALB2. People with TNBC who still have breast cancer after chemotherapy.
A breast cancer vaccine is showing promise in early clinical trials. Initially, the vaccine was tested in people with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who were at high risk for recurrence. Now the vaccine is being tested to lower breast cancer risk among people with an inherited mutation in BRCA1, BRCA2 or PALB2. It is also being tested in people with triple-negative breast cancer who are at high risk for recurrence and are taking the immunotherapy drug Keytruda (pembrolizumab) after completing chemotherapy. (Posted 1/31/24)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium
Article : Breast cancer risk for transgender women with inherited mutations
Relevance: Medium
Most relevant for: Transgender women with inherited mutations who are considering or have had gender affirming care
There has been little research on breast cancer risk for transgender women who are at high risk for breast cancer due to an inherited mutation. This review summarizes what we know. (Posted 11/29/23)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Article : Artificial intelligence (AI) may find breast cancer on mammograms sooner
Most relevant for: People interested in the use of artificial intelligence in medicine
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools may help doctors read mammograms. This assistance may lead to earlier diagnoses of breast cancer. (Posted 9/29/23)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium-High
Guideline : What is breast density and why does it matter?
Relevance: Medium-High
Most relevant for: People who have mammograms
New FDA guidelines for mammograms will go into effect by September 2024. Current FDA guidance requires hospitals and breast centers to give people information about their breast density with their mammogram results. By September 2024, mammogram providers will need to relay to patients who have dense breast that they should discuss the need for additional imaging. This article provides an overview of what breast density means and why it matters. (Posted 6/8/23)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Article : A food lover’s decision to remove her stomach highlights difficult decisions around cancer risk
Most relevant for: People with a CDH1 mutation or a family history of stomach cancer
National Public Radio reporter Sáša Woodruff shares her story of learning about her CDH1 mutation and making a decision about risk-reducing surgery. Mutations in the CDH1 gene significantly increase a person’s risk of stomach and breast cancers. Woodruff’s personal essay describes the psychological challenge of making decisions about risk-reducing surgeries and draws attention to a lesser-known mutation linked to hereditary cancer. (Posted 5/17/23)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Animal Studies
Study : Weight may affect breast cancer risk in women with an inherited BRCA mutation
Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Animal Studies
Most relevant for: People with an inherited mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 concerned about their breast cancer risk
A study that looked at normal breast cells from women with an inherited BRCA mutation found more DNA damage among women who were overweight (based on a measurement known as body mass index) than those who were not overweight. The results suggest that maintaining a lower weight may reduce breast cancer among this high-risk population. (Posted 3/30/23)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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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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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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