Radiation therapy is one of the main forms of breast cancer treatment. It uses high energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells.
Radiation therapy is usually given after breast cancer surgery. The goal of radiation therapy is to destroy any cancer cells that might remain in the breast area after surgery. Radiation is intended to help reduce the risk of recurrence (the cancer coming back).
For very large breast cancer tumours, radiation therapy may be given before surgery. The goal of radiation therapy before surgery is to shrink the tumour so that it is easier to operate on.
Types of radiation therapy
External beam radiation therapy is the most common type of radiation therapy. At the start of your therapy, the radiation team will plan your treatment and make small, tattoo-like marks on your skin. These marks allow the team to direct the radiation exactly where it is needed each time you receive radiation therapy. Typically you will receive one session every day, five days a week, for a period of three to six weeks. Usually each session lasts only a few minutes.
Internal radiation therapy, also called brachytherapy, is also based on the use of radiation to kill cancer cells. However, instead of using an external beam, the radiation is applied in the form of small radioactive pellets that are implanted in the breast next to the cancer
Limiting radiation exposure
The effects of radiation build up over time in the body. For this reason, a person’s total exposure to radiation is limited.
If you have received radiation therapy to the affected breast or the chest wall in the past, it may not be recommended again because of increased health risks. Radiation is also not recommended for pregnant women.
Side effects
You may experience side effects during radiation therapy, because X-rays can harm healthy cells as well as cancer cells. The dose of radiation is carefully monitored to have the most impact on the cancer while doing the least harm to healthy cells.
Some of the possible short-term side effects of radiation therapy include skin redness, sunburn-like skin changes, swelling and fatigue. These side effects should go away within a few weeks to a few months after the treatment is complete.
Ask your health care team about the benefits, limitations and possible side effects of radiation therapy to help you make an informed decision about your treatment.
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