Radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery halves the chances of the cancer coming back in the 10 years following diagnosis
Radiotherapy following surgery for breast cancer halves the chances of the cancer coming back over the next 10 years, a study led by Oxford University researchers has found. Radiotherapy also reduces the risk of dying from breast cancer over the next 15 years by one sixth. The findings, published in the Lancet medical journal, come from the largest study by far of the effects of radiotherapy for women who've had 'breast-conserving' surgery to remove the part of the breast with the cancer. The study analysed data from clinical trials involving well over 10,000 women. Professor Sarah Darby of the Clinical Trial Service Unit at Oxford University, who led the study, says: 'Some people have been wondering whether radiotherapy is really necessary for all women after breast conserving surgery. Our results identify several groups of women for whom radiotherapy is a major life saver. For some other groups of women absolute benefits from radiotherapy are more moderate.' Radiotherapy is used to kill any microscopic pieces of tumour left after surgery to reduce the chances of the cancer coming back or spreading elsewhere in the body.
TO READ THIS ARTICLE, CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT
And extend your reading, free of charge and with no commitment.
