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Education > XRAY > Hereditary Cancer Risk

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.
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Hereditary Cancer Risk

121 through 130 of 135

Relevance: Medium

Strength of Science: Medium-High

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Study : Does IVF increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer?

Relevance: Medium

Strength of Science: Medium-High

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Most relevant for: Woman at average risk for breast cancer who have or are considering undergoing In Vitro Fertilization

In vitro fertilization (IVF) wasn't commonly used until the 1980s, so its long-term effects are mostly unknown. A new study suggests that the treatment does not increase a woman's risk for developing breast cancer. (8/23/16)

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Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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Study : Racial disparities in BRCA testing: Why?

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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Most relevant for: African American women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer

Black women receive BRCA testing less frequently than white women. Why is that? Researchers thought the reason might be that black and white women see different health care providers. However, new research suggests that disparities in physician recommendations for testing are the cause: black women with breast cancer were less likely to receive physician recommendations for BRCA testing than white women with breast cancer. There is a need to ensure equity in physician testing recommendations for black women. (7/21/16)

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Relevance: Medium

Strength of Science: Medium

Research Timeline: Human Research

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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.

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Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium

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Study : Does light alcohol consumption affect your breast cancer risk?

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium

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Most relevant for: Women who drink alcohol and are concerned about their breast cancer risk.

Alcohol is known to increase breast cancer risk, but does that include light consumption? This study indicates that some breast cancer occurrences and mortality is due to light alcohol consumption. (06/21/16)

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Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Human Research

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Study : Dense breast notifications are informative but hard to read and understand

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Human Research

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Most relevant for: Women with dense breast tissue on mammograms

Some states offer women dense breast notifications that are meant to explain that dense breasts are risk factors for breast cancer and can hide cancer on mammograms, and to identify appropriate supplemental screening options. But recent research found that this information is often not easy to read or understand, which questions the usefulness of the documents. (6/7/16)

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Relevance: Medium

Strength of Science: Medium

Research Timeline: Human Research

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Study : Do BRCA mutations affect fertility?

Relevance: Medium

Strength of Science: Medium

Research Timeline: Human Research

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Most relevant for: Women with a BRCA mutation who want to become pregnant

Age affects fertility. As women age, their ovaries release eggs that are not as healthy as those released in younger women. Fewer eggs are released each menstrual cycle as women age, making it harder for older women to become pregnant. Are women with BRCA mutations less fertile? Previous research suggested that BRCA mutations might affect women's fertility as she ages. A recent study found that BRCA1 mutation carriers may have slightly lower fertility than women without the same mutation, but more research is needed before this finding is useful for medical decision-making. (5/24/16)

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Relevance: Medium

Strength of Science: Medium

Research Timeline: Human Research

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Study : Is breast cancer risk increased in women who test negative for the BRCA mutation in their family?

Relevance: Medium

Strength of Science: Medium

Research Timeline: Human Research

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Most relevant for: Women from a family with a known BRCA mutation who tested negative for the mutation in the family

Some women who do not carry a BRCA mutation, but come from a BRCA-positive family, still develop breast cancer. This research examines whether these women are at higher risk for breast cancer, or whether their risk is similar to women in the general population. (4/19/16)

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Relevance: Medium

Quality of Writing: Medium-Low

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Article : New York Times report demonstrates need for genetic counseling, but doesn’t give the whole story

Relevance: Medium

Quality of Writing: Medium-Low

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Most relevant for: People diagnosed with breast cancer

A New York Times report discussed how genetic testing could provide “grim data” without guidance for patients. While this is a valid concern, this report does not sufficiently emphasize certain important issues regarding genetic testing, particularly the need for genetic counseling by a health care provider with expertise in genetics before and after genetic testing. (4/5/16)

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Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium

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Study : Do women who eat a high fiber diet have a lower risk of breast cancer?

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium

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Most relevant for: Adolescent and young adult women

Some researchers believe that dietary fiber may decrease breast cancer risk by lowering estrogen levels in the blood. However, many previous studies have failed to find a link between fiber consumption and lower breast cancer risk. The current study suggests that consuming high dietary fiber during adolescence and young adulthood may lower breast cancer risk, but more work needs to be done to confirm this finding. In the meantime, everyone is encouraged to eat a variety of high fiber foods for the many well-documented health benefits. (03/08/16)

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Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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Study : How do ultrasound and mammography compare in breast cancer screening?

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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Most relevant for: Young women at high risk for breast cancer with limited access to mammography and MRI is not easily accessible

Mammography has been shown to reduce breast cancer deaths; however, women in developing countries don’t have easy access to mammography. Ultrasound screening, on the other hand, is portable and less expensive, and could be an alternative to mammography. This study compared mammography to ultrasound in women with dense breasts and found the two techniques have similar cancer detection rates, although the false positive rate is higher with ultrasound. (02/16/16)

 

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