Breast Cancer

Study : Racial and ethnic differences in genetic testing among young breast cancer survivors

Relevance: High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

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Most relevant for: Women diagnosed with breast cancer at age 50 or younger

Genetic testing is recommended for most women who are diagnosed with breast cancer at age 50 or younger.  In this study of young women with breast cancer, while the rates of genetic testing  did not differ, the rates of women testing positive for an inherited mutation associated with breast cancer did vary between racial and ethnic groups. (2/27/20)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

Study : Cancer risk associated with inherited mutations in Lynch syndrome genes

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Human Research

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Most 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)

Study : Do hair dyes or straighteners increase breast cancer risk?

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-Low

Most relevant for: Young women who use hair dye or straighteners

Many women use products to color or straighten their hair. A large U.S. study linked the use of permanent hair dye and straighteners to increased breast cancer risk, particularly among black women. This XRAY reviews the limitations of this study and highlights the need for additional research before accepting these conclusions. (1/29/20)

Study : How does a breast cancer diagnosis affect employment of young women?

Relevance: High

Strength of Science: Medium

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Most relevant for: Young women with breast cancer

Most young women who are diagnosed with breast cancer remain employed one year after their diagnosis. Among breast cancer patients who were unemployed a year later, half reported that their unemployment was due to health issues. The issues that were most associated with unemployment were stage of cancer and financial stress prior to diagnosis. (1/10/20)

Study : A new breast cancer drug improves overall survival among people with brain and other metastases

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: High

Research Timeline: Human Research

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Most relevant for: People with metastatic breast cancer

A promising new drug called tucatinib combined with standard therapy shows benefit for women with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Women who took tucatinib experienced longer progression-free survival (time before their cancer worsened), longer overall survival time and response of cancer (shrinking or disappearing). Strikingly, better outcomes were also seen for women with brain metastases, which is often difficult to treat. (12/20/19) 

THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN UPDATED on 04/17/20:  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Tukysa (tucatinib) for use in combination with trastuzumab (Herceptin) and capecitabine for patients with advanced or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer, including patients with brain metastases (disease that has spread to the brain). Patients who have received one or more treatments targeting Her2 in the metastic setting are eligible to receive Tukysa. Tukysa  is an oral (tablet) tyrosine kinase inhibitor which is taken twice daily. 

Study : Women who exercise have lower breast cancer risk whether or not they have a family history of breast cancer

Relevance: High

Strength of Science: High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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Most relevant for: Young, high risk women

The effect of physical activity on breast cancer risk was looked at  in a study of over 15,000 women. The results suggest that exercise lowers breast cancer risk regardless of family  history of breast cancer or menopausal status.  (12/6/19)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

Study : A new blood test may help predict early-stage breast cancer patients at highest risk for recurrence

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Human Research

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Most relevant for: People with early-stage breast cancer

Which patients are at risk for a relapse of early-stage breast cancer? Tests to predict recurrence would help find people who need more monitoring after treatment and provide a chance to find and treat them earlier. This study looked at whether a blood test for tumor DNA (called circulating tumor DNA or ctDNA) is useful for finding people with recurrence earlier than current clinical practice. (11/4/19)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

Personal Story : A “flu shot” against breast cancer? Not so fast

Relevance: Medium-Low

Research Timeline: Human Research

Most relevant for: Women diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)

There have been multiple reports in the media of a Florida woman who had a "shot" to treat her DCIS with a promising outcome. This XRAY reviews the underlying story about this early breast cancer vaccine trial. (10/25/19)

Personal Story : Running marathons with metastatic breast cancer? Yes!

Relevance: High

Quality of Writing: High

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Most relevant for: Women with metastatic breast cancer

Runner’s World Magazine featured Sarah Smith, a metastatic breast cancer patient who runs marathons and ultra-marathons. By telling her story, Sarah wants to encourage people to stay active, despite the challenges that life may bring. (10/13/19)

Study : Research on the PARP inhibitor talazoparib (Talzenna) for early-stage breast cancer is promising

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Human Research

Most relevant for: People with early stage breast cancer who have an inherited BRCA mutation

The PARP inhibitor talazoparib (Talzenna) has been useful for treatment of advanced or metastatic breast cancer for patients with BRCA mutations. A preliminary study showed that the majority of patients who took talazoparib alone before surgery for early-stage breast cancer had effective treatment and manageable side effects. Expanded clinical trials are in progress to verify this result. (10/4/19)