New treatments are being researched by doctors and scientists that could lead to extensive changes in the fight against breast cancer. Daily doses of radiation can take a toll on breast cancer patients, often causing incapacitating side effects. But an continuing study finds that a single dose of radiation during some breast cancer surgery could be just as effective as receiving multiple treatments.
Women who experience a lumpectomy typically have to appointment for a radiation center five days a week for anywhere from three to six weeks after the surgery, receiving a low shot of radiation during each visit.
Now doctors are saying patients have the alternative to get one stronger dose of targeted radiation during surgery. �That not only saves time but also side effects from the radiation to the breast tissue, to the heart, to the lungs, and is a much better approach,� says Dr. Susan Love, a breast cancer researcher.
Initial results from the radiation study presented at the annual conference of the American Society of Clinical Oncology this past week are encouraging. Breast cancer patients who had traditional radiation and those who had the single shot of radiation had approximately the same number of recurrences.
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