What is radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy is a form of cancer treatment that uses high levels of
radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing and dividing — while
minimizing damage to healthy cells. When used for breast cancer treatment,
radiation is delivered to the affected breast and, in some cases, to the lymph
nodes under the arm or at the collarbone.
When is radiation therapy given for breast cancer?
Radiation therapy is usually given after a lumpectomy and sometimes after a
mastectomy to reduce your risk of local recurrence of breast cancer. The
treatments generally start several weeks after surgery so the area has some time
to heal. If your doctor recommends adjuvant chemotherapy with radiation therapy,
chemotherapy might be given before you start radiation therapy.
There are standard radiation treatments and a newer option,
MammoSite® 5-Day Targeted Radiation Therapy System. It is important
to note that your doctor must decide if MammoSite is a suitable choice.
Will my other breast be affected by radiation during treatments?
The key to successful treatment is providing the maximum dose of radiation
to the tumor and the minimal dose to the surrounding normal tissue.
Standard radiation therapy
Standard radiation therapy treatments usually last for a period of 6 weeks.
What happens on treatment days?
The radiation therapist will escort you into the treatment room. The
therapist will help you onto the treatment table and help place you in the
correct treatment position. Once the therapist is sure you are positioned
correctly, he or she will leave the room and start the radiation treatment.
You will be under constant observation during the treatment.
Cameras and an intercom are in the treatment room, so the therapist can always
see and hear you. If you should have a problem, you can let the therapist know.
It is very important that you remain still and relaxed during the treatment.
The therapist will be in and out of the room to reposition the
machine and change your position. The treatment machine will not touch you and
you will feel nothing during the treatment. Once your treatment is complete, the
therapist will help you off of the treatment table.
How will the radiation therapist know I am in the correct position?
An X-ray, also known as a "port film," will be taken by the radiation
therapist on the first day of treatment and about every week thereafter. Port
films verify that you are being positioned accurately during your treatments.