From an interview with
Dr. Jordan Gainey
MRMC – Radiation Oncology

A woman facing breast cancer today often has a choice; she may have her entire breast removed or choose lumpectomy, which is when the tumor is removed surgically and the breast remains intact. This surgery is usually followed by four to six weeks of radiation treatment to ensure that all the cancer cells have been eliminated.

Radiation therapy for breast cancer is a common, effective treatment for early-stage and more advanced breast cancer. Radiation can also be used with chemotherapy to reduce the size of a tumor prior to surgery. This form of treatment involves multiple streams of highly-focused radiation beams to precisely target cancer cells and spare surrounding healthy tissues.

The most common early side effects of radiation therapy in breast cancer patients are  skin irritation  and  fatigue. This can range from a light blush or darkening of the skin to more like a sunburn, sometimes with skin peeling. For most patients, these side effects will resolve after completing radiation therapy.

Technological advancements in the use of radiation for breast cancer have also been shown to reduce recurrence of the disease, improve long-term survival, and decrease the number of treatments needed. It may also help ease symptoms of metastatic breast cancer. In fact, research shows breast cancer is less likely to come back (recur) in people with early-stage breast cancer who have radiation therapy after surgery. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, less than 5% of people have recurrent breast cancer 10 years after surgery and radiation therapy.

If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, talk to your oncologist about what treatment options are best for you.