In a nutshell This study looked at the use of olaparib (Lynparza) treatment for patients with high risk, BRCA1/2-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer (BC). The authors found that in patients with BRCA1/2-positive BC, olaparib after local treatment improved the outcomes of these patients. Some background BC is one of the most common cancers...
Read MoreHigh risk profile(s)-BRCA1 or BRCA2 Posts on Medivizor
Evaluating olaparib for metastatic breast cancer with BRCA1/2 and other gene mutations.
In a nutshell This study was carried out to examine the effectiveness of olaparib (Lynparza) for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC; cancer that has spread) with gene mutations (abnormalities). The authors found that this treatment was effective for patients with MBC with BRCA1/2 mutations. Some background Breast cancer (BC) is one of the...
Read MoreTalazoparib before surgery for patients with BRCA mutated breast cancer
In a nutshell This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of talazoparib as a neoadjuvant agent (treatment before surgery) in patients with BRCA mutation and operable breast cancer. This study concluded that this treatment was a safe and effective in these patients. Some...
Read MoreOlaparib for treating breast cancer that has spread
In a nutshell This study determined whether treating breast cancer that has spread (metastatic) with olaparib (Lynparza) resulted in better outcomes and fewer side effects compared to chemotherapy. The study found that treatment with olaparib led to similar survival outcomes compared to chemotherapy. Some background There are...
Read MoreBRCA mutations – What is the risk of contralateral breast cancer?
In a nutshell This study looked at the risk of developing contralateral breast cancer (CBC) in patients with or without BRCA mutations. The study concluded that age at the time of first cancer diagnosis is a strong risk factor for CBC in patients with BRCA. Some background Contralateral breast cancer (CBC) is the development of a second new breast...
Read MoreShort-term versus long-term tamoxifen use in BRCA mutation carriers
In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine whether the duration of tamoxifen (Nolvadex) treatment could significantly affect the risk of recurrent (the cancer returns) cancer. Some background Genetic mutations can often cause harmful changes in our body. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are two such genes that are known as cancer susceptibility genes. Women with...
Read MoreDoes pregnancy affect survival?
Does pregnancy affect survival? This study evaluated the effect of pregnancy on the survival of women with BRCA associated breast cancer. Hereditary breast cancer (associated with a mutation in either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene) typically presents itself in younger women. Consequently, the onset of breast cancer often overlaps with pregnancy....
Read MoreComparing the effectiveness of bilateral mastectomy and surveillance in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers
In a nutshell This study compared bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy and surveillance methods for reducing the risk of breast cancer in women with the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutations. Some background BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 are genetic mutations which increase the risk of breast cancer (BC). Women with these mutations can try to reduce their BC risk...
Read MoreTamoxifen reduces the risk of contralateral breast cancer in women with BRCA1 or BRCA2
In a nutshell This study examined whether tamoxifen (nolvadex) can reduce the risk of contralateral breast cancer in women diagnosed with breast cancer and the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutation. Some background The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations are associated with a high risk of developing breast cancer. While prophylactic mastectomies (a...
Read MoreWhat is the preferred duration of chemotherapy? – A review of clinical trials
The aim of this paper was to identify if a longer course of chemotherapy was better than a short course. The authors look at how long patients survived with metastatic breast cancer or with no further cancer progression. Breast cancer is called metastatic when it has spread from the breast to other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes, lungs,...
Read MoreDoes Tamoxifen reduce the risk of cancer in a second breast in BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers?
In a nutshell The risk of breast cancer is high (~80%) in women who inherit a damaged (mutated) gene called BRCA1 or BRCA 2 (‘BRCA carriers’). Following the first diagnosis, their risk of developing another tumor in the second breast within 10 years is 30%. Some background Some types of breast cancer need estrogen (female sex...
Read More