Breast Cancer

Study : Expanding Medicaid reduced racial disparities among people with metastatic breast cancer

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Most relevant for: People diagnosed with de novo stage 4 breast cancer and people who live in states that have not expanded Medicaid.

The Affordable Care Act allowed more people to access insurance through Medicaid. This study found the expansion of care improved survival and decreased mortality among people of color with de novo stage 4 (stage 4 at the time of initial diagnosis) breast cancer.  (Posted 9/13/2022). Este artículo está disponible en español.

Study : Physical activity may decrease fatigue associated with cancer treatment

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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Most relevant for: Cancer patients who are experiencing fatigue related to cancer or its treatment.

Many cancer survivors experience fatigue during and after they complete treatment. This study looked at the effect of home-based physical activity on fatigue in cancer survivors. It also looked at whether frequent counseling encouraged people to start and continue their exercise routines.  (Posted 8/1/22). Este artículo está disponible en español.

Study : A win for some patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer

Relevance: High

Strength of Science: High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

Most relevant for: People with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer

A drug used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer improved survival in people with metastatic breast cancers that were previously considered HER2-negative. These results change practice guidelines for metastatic breast cancer and reclassify HER2 tumor marker status as “HER2-low” to guide treatment. (Posted 7/18/22)

Update: On 08/05/2022 the FDA approved Enhertu to treat people with metastatic, HER2-low breast cancer who have received prior chemotherapy in the metastatic setting or who developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing chemotherapy. Enhertu is also approved for treatment of people with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who progressed after prior anti-HER2 treatment. Este artículo está disponible en español.

Study : The hidden financial burden of treating cancer care symptoms

Relevance: High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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Most relevant for: People who are experiencing side effects due to cancer treatment or cancer.

Drugs commonly used to treat symptoms of cancer and cancer treatment side effects can cost thousands of dollars out of pocket for patients, depending on what drugs are used. (Posted 6/29/2022). Este artículo está disponible en español.

Study : Do artificial sweeteners increase the risk of cancer?

Relevance: Medium

Strength of Science: Medium

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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Most relevant for: People who consume artificial sweeteners

A large study of adults in France suggests that artificial sweeteners may increase the risk of certain cancers. (posted 6/21/2022). Este artículo está disponible en español.

Article : Breast cancer risk for transgender men with inherited mutations

Relevance: Medium-High

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Most relevant for: Transgender men with an inherited mutation

There is little information related to the risks and treatment options for transgender men and nonbinary people who are at high-risk for breast cancer due to an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. We review an expert viewpoint on the implications of a BRCA mutation for transgender men undergoing breast removal as part of their gender-affirming care plan. (posted 5/19/22)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

Study : Increasing melatonin use raises concerns

Relevance: Medium

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

Most relevant for: people who take or consider taking melatonin to help with sleep.

Adult use of melatonin as a sleep aid has increased even though its benefits and risks are not well understood. This study looked at trends in melatonin use over the last 19 years. (Posted 4/14/2022)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

Study : New tool to predict breast cancer risk for Black women

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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Most relevant for: Black women in the U.S.

An important part of making decisions about breast cancer screening and prevention is knowing your breast cancer risk. Specific tools are used to identify people who would benefit from early and/or additional screening and chemoprevention or those who would most benefit from genetic counseling and testing. Because these tools were developed using data mostly from white women, they are unable to predict cancer risk as well for Black women. To begin to address these gaps, researchers developed a new tool specifically designed to predict breast cancer risk for Black women. This tool has been shown to work well, especially for younger Black women. (posted 3/22/2022) Este artículo está disponible en español.

Study : The chance of a second breast cancer is higher among some Hawai'ian women

Relevance: High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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Most relevant for: women of Hawai’ian, Filipino or Asian American ancestry.

Women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), an early form of breast cancer, are more likely to have a second breast cancer diagnosis if they are of Native Hawai'ian, Filipino or Japanese ancestry than women of other racial or ethnic groups. (posted 3/15/22)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

Study : Quality of life for people with early-stage breast cancer who participated in the OlympiA clinical trial

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

Most relevant for: People with inherited mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 who have been diagnosed with early-stage, HER2-negative breast cancer.

The OlympiA study showed that the PARP inhibitor olaparib (Lynparza) is effective when used as maintenance therapy for people with an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation who have early-stage breast cancer. Patient-reported outcomes from OlympiA suggest that olaparib was well tolerated and did not reduce quality of life or delay recovery from chemotherapy. (posted 2/22/22) Update: Based on OlympiA results, the FDA approved olaparib as adjuvant treatment for people with an inherited BRCA mutation who were diagnosed with early-stage HER2-negative breast cancer at high risk for recurrence. (03/11/2022). 

Este artículo está disponible en español.