My Breakthrough
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy, treatment with x-rays, is usually given after surgery. It aims to destroy any remaining cancer cells.
It is a localised treatment, which means it kills cancer cells only in the area of the body that is exposed to x-rays.
Radiotherapy is given by a radiographer. It can be given:
- Externally, with a machine called a linear accelerator.
- Internally, using radioactive wires. This is less commonly used.
Before your course of radiotherapy starts, you will be asked to go to the radiotherapy department for treatment planning by a cancer specialist.
At this time he or she will also tell you what to expect and explain about any side effects of radiotherapy for breast cancer that you may have during your treatment.
Women with breast cancer may have radiotherapy:
- Nearly always after a lumpectomy operation to remove their cancer.
- Less commonly, after a mastectomy.
- Before surgery to shrink their tumour.
- Rarely, as their only treatment.
- To treat secondary breast cancer.
Practice varies at some hospitals but a typical course of radiotherapy for breast cancer is given five days a week, for
three to six weeks.
Practice varies at some hospitals but a typical course of radiotherapy for breast cancer is given five days a week, for three to six weeks.
Some hospitals are testing new ways of giving radiotherapy.
Also within "Treatment"
