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
Relevance: Medium-High
Quality of Writing: Medium-High
Article : Cancer experience in families affects decision making
Relevance: Medium-High
Quality of Writing: Medium-High
Most relevant for: Women with an inherited mutation linked to increased risk for cancer
Women with inherited mutations in genes that increase breast and ovarian cancer risk have an additional challenge: coping with how those mutations impact their families and how a family member’s cancer experience can shape their own perception. In a recent U.S. News and World Report article, Elaine Howley explores how a woman's decisions about healthcare, cancer prevention and treatment are affected by experience with cancer in the family. (9/25/18)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Hormone therapy and breast cancer risk after ovary removal in women with a BRCA1 mutation
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: Women with BRCA1 mutations who have had risk-reducing ovary removal and have never been diagnosed with breast cancer
Does hormone therapy (HT) alter the risk of breast cancer for woman carrying a BRCA1 mutation who have never been diagnosed with cancer? In this study, researchers showed that among women with BRCA1 mutations, HT use did not increase breast cancer rates for 10 years after ovary removal. More women taking combined estrogen plus progesterone developed breast cancer compared to those taking estrogen only, though this difference was not statistically significant. (9/7/18)
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Study identifies genes associated with risk of triple-negative breast cancer
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer
Panel testing can identify women who are at increased risk for breast cancer. However, those at risk for triple-negative breast cancer cannot easily be identified because other than BRCA1, genes that increase the risk for triple-negative breast cancer are unknown. A new study uses panel testing to identify which genes increase the risk for triple-negative breast cancer. (8/23/18)
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Article : Interview with Angelina Jolie's doctor promotes meatless diet and scientific inaccuracies
Most relevant for:
Dr. Kristi Funk, Angelina Jolie's Hollywood breast surgeon, is promoting her new book about breast cancer. This article from the UK newspaper The Times includes an interview with Funk about her book, which proposes that diet is responsible for breast cancer. This XRAYS addresses scientific inaccuracies in this article. (8/7/18)
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Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Evaluation of some direct-to-consumer genetic testing reveals inaccuracies and misinterpretations
Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Human Research
Most relevant for: People who are considering or have had direct-to-consumer testing
A clinical genetic testing laboratory examined results from direct-to-consumer genetic testing ordered directly by patients. They found many instances of false positives—reported mutations that were not actually present—and in some cases, reports of variants that "increased risk," but were actually benign. This study emphasized the importance of involving genetics experts in the interpretation of genetic test results. (6/28/18)
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Disparities in research impact breast screening guidelines
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: Women at average risk for breast cancer
For women at average risk of breast cancer, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) currently recommends beginning annual breast cancer screening at age 50. However, because these guidelines are largely based on data from white women, they may not be sensitive to racial differences. A new study assesses the age distribution of breast cancer cases across race/ethnicity in the U.S. (6/21/18)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Mutations in Lynch syndrome genes MSH6 and PMS2 may be associated with breast cancer
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Most relevant for: Women with an MSH6 or PMS2 mutation
Some women with mutations in MSH6 and PMS2, two Lynch syndrome genes, may have a modest (2 to 3-fold) increased risk for breast cancer. (6/14/18 updated 09/25/19)
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Personal Story : Juliet's story: No reconstruction is a post-mastectomy option
Most relevant for: Women who have had or are considering mastectomy without reconstruction
In a March 2018 article from breastcancercare.org, Juliet conveys her personal experience with a breast cancer diagnosis and her decision to not have her breasts reconstructed after her mastectomy. She details the emotional complexity of her thought process and the empowerment she felt in her decisions. (5/24/18)
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Article : The right not to know when not knowing is dangerous
Most relevant for: People with Icelandic heritage
Healthcare providers are bound by the guiding principle of doing no harm. But how does this concept apply to their patients who have not consented to genetic testing or who do not want to know their results? In that case, is providing test results more harmful or not? Anna Clausen explores these issues in the context of breast cancer gene testing in her Global Health Now article “The Right Not to Know: When Ignorance is Bliss but Deadly.” (4/20/18)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium
Study : Take your time, follow your heart: strategies for communication about family planning
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium
Most relevant for: Young high risk women
When a woman is newly diagnosed with a BRCA mutation, she faces many risk management decisions. Although many of these decisions impact family planning, little guidance is available on how to communicate this information. This study examines female previvors’ advice on effective strategies for discussing family planning decisions. (03/28/18)
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