What does radiation therapy after breast-sparing surgery involve?
Radiation therapy is usually performed as an outpatient procedure over a period of at least 5 weeks. Some women are not able to make that commitment. Some women live far from radiation facilities or can’t afford to take the time for daily treatments. Others may have health conditions such as pregnancy, lupus, or heart disease, that prevent them from undergoing radiation. Since radiation therapy lowers the risk of recurrence for women who choose breast-sparing surgery, patients and their doctors must consider the requirements for radiation therapy before deciding which surgical option is best for them.
