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
Colorectal Cancer
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : The hidden financial burden of treating cancer care symptoms
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
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.
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Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
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.
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Cannabis use among breast cancer patients
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Most relevant for: People interested in using cannabis to relieve treatment side effects.
This study looked at patterns of cannabis use among breast cancer patients who are members of online health communities. Almost half of the study participants reported using cannabis to help manage treatment symptoms and side effects. The study also looked at reasons why patients used cannabis, where they obtained it and whether they perceived cannabis to be safe. While this study only looked at cannabis use among breast cancer patients it is likely results would be similar among patients diagnosed with other types of cancers. (posted 1/25/22)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Multiple sclerosis may affect breast and colorectal cancer survival
Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Most relevant for: People with multiple sclerosis who are diagnosed with cancer
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) have lower overall survival after a breast or colorectal cancer diagnosis compared to people diagnosed with these cancers who do not have multiple sclerosis. Survival differed by cancer type. (posted 12/10/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Genetic testing for inherited mutations may be helpful for all people with advanced or metastatic cancer
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: people with metastatic or recurrent cancer
In a study of nearly 12,000 cancer patients with a variety of cancers, eight percent of participants with metastatic cancer had an inherited mutation in a cancer gene that qualified them for a targeted treatment approved by the FDA or for participation in a clinical trial. The majority of people with metastatic cancer were unaware that they had an inherited mutation, and had not receive gene-directed treatment to which their tumor may have responded. The study authors suggest that genetic testing for inherited mutations may be warranted for all patients with advanced or metastatic cancer. (posted 9/30/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Update : Blood tests called liquid biopsies for cancer screening, monitoring and treatment
Most relevant for: People considering a liquid biopsy to screen for cancer
Could a simple blood test change cancer detection, treatment and monitoring? Several companies are offering a type of blood test known as a liquid biopsy to detect multiple cancers at their earliest stages, monitor response to treatment and help choose the best treatment. Although progress has been made using liquid biopsies to treat cancer, these tests have not yet been shown to detect cancer early enough to save lives. (posted 9/29/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Do sugared beverages increase the risk of early-onset colorectal cancer?
Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: Healthy people with an average colorectal cancer risk
A study of female nurses in the U.S. suggests that a high intake of sugar-sweetened beverages may increase the risk of colorectal cancer before age 50. However, researchers saw few early-onset colorectal cancer cases which limited the findings. (posted 9/21/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Cancer risks of people with inherited PALB2 mutations
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: people with inherited PALB2 mutations
In the largest study of people with inherited PALB2 mutations to date, the gene was linked to increased lifetime risk of breast cancer in women and men, ovarian and pancreatic cancer but not prostate or colorectal cancer. (posted 7/1/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Daily high-dose aspirin taken for at least 2 years reduces the risk of colorectal cancer but not other cancers in people with Lynch syndrome
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People with Lynch syndrome
Research has shown that daily aspirin use can reduce the risk of colon and other cancers. The Cancer Prevention Program 2 (CaPP2) study looked at the effect of daily aspirin in patients with Lynch syndrome. After 10 years of follow-up, the results showed that taking daily aspirin for two years reduced the frequency of colon cancer in patients with Lynch syndrome, and importantly, did not result in an increase in side-effects or complications. No benefit was seen for other Lynch syndrome-related cancers, including endometrial cancer. (5/17/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Update : Cancer disparities: Colorectal cancer in African Americans
Most relevant for: African Americans concerned about colorectal cancer
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) released a 2020 report about cancer disparities among racial and ethnic groups in the United States. In this XRAY review, we highlight data from the report about the burden of colorectal cancer in African Americans, who have the highest rates of diagnosis and death related to the disease among all racial and ethnic groups. (Posted 4/27/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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