News: Radiation treatment nearly halves breast cancer recurrence, study

It’s great to hear about new advances in breast cancer prevention and treatment, especially during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as it shows that our efforts are making a difference. And now, new research published in the medical journal, The Lancet, suggests women who are diagnosed with early stage breast cancer won’t necessarily have to lose their breasts.

A new study has concluded that women who receive radiation treatment after a lumpectomy have a significantly lower risk of dying from breast cancer. The risk of recurrence is also reduced by nearly half.

The research, done by the Early Breast Cancer Trialists’ Collaborative Group, analyzed data from more than 10,000 women with early stage breast cancer for an average of 10 years. Of those women who had radiation treatment following a lumpectomy, 19 percent had a recurrence, compared to 35 percent of women who did not receive radiotherapy. The risk of dying in the 15 years after diagnosis was also reduced by four percent for women who had radiation.

What do you think has been the most important advancement in breast cancer treatment?

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