Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer among women worldwide, with millions of new cases diagnosed each year. While the diagnosis can be daunting, advancements in medical science offer hope and effective treatment options. Radiation therapy is a highly effective cancer treatment option that can improve cancer treatment rates drastically.

In this blog, we’ll talk about radiation therapy in breast cancer, breast cancer treatment, symptoms of breast cancer,  and more!

Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer can manifest through various signs and symptoms, which, when detected early, can significantly improve the chances of successful treatment and recovery. Here are some common symptoms of breast cancer:

1. Lump or Mass: One of the most recognizable signs is the presence of a lump or mass in the breast tissue or underarm area. These lumps may feel distinct from the surrounding tissue and can vary in size.
2. Changes in Breast Shape or Size: Breast cancer may cause changes in the shape or size of the breast. This could involve one breast appearing larger or lower than the other or changes in contour that are noticeable over time.
3. Changes in Skin Texture: Skin changes such as dimpling, puckering, or thickening of the breast skin can occur. These changes may resemble the texture of an orange peel, known as peau d'orange.
4. Nipple Changes: Changes in the nipple, including inversion (turning inward), discharge (other than breast milk), or scaling or flaking of the nipple or surrounding area, can be indicative of breast cancer.
5. Breast Pain: While breast pain is not typically a primary symptom of breast cancer, persistent discomfort or pain in the breast or armpit area should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
6. Redness or Swelling: Unexplained redness, swelling, or warmth in the breast tissue may be a sign of inflammatory breast cancer, a rare and aggressive form of the disease.
7. Changes in Breast Appearance During Self-Examination: Regular breast self-examinations can help in detecting any abnormalities. Any changes in texture, shape, or size of the breast or nipple during self-examination should be reported to a healthcare provider.
8. Persistent Lymph Node Swelling: Swelling or enlargement of lymph nodes in the armpit or around the collarbone that persists over time can indicate breast cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes.

Breast Cancer Treatment

The various types of breast cancer treatment methods include surgery (such as lumpectomy, mastectomy, and lymph node removal), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy (such as HER2-targeted drugs), immunotherapy, and clinical trials exploring new treatment approaches.

1. Surgery: Lumpectomy (removal of the tumour and surrounding tissue) or mastectomy (removal of the entire breast) are common surgical options.
2. Radiation Therapy: High-energy rays are used to kill cancer cells or shrink tumours after surgery.
3. Chemotherapy: Drugs are used to kill cancer cells, either before surgery (neoadjuvant) to shrink tumours or after surgery (adjuvant) to destroy any remaining cancer cells.
4. Hormone Therapy: For hormone receptor-positive breast cancers, medications are used to block the effects of oestrogen or lower oestrogen levels in the body.
5. Targeted Therapy: Drugs target specific molecules involved in cancer growth, such as HER2, to block their action.
6. Immunotherapy: Helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.
7. Supportive Care: Managing symptoms, side effects, and overall well-being through services such as counselling, pain management, and rehabilitation.

These treatments can be used alone or in combination depending on the stage and characteristics of breast cancer.

What Is Breast Radiotherapy?

Do you know that more than 14 million new cases of cancer are diagnosed globally each year? Breast radiotherapy, also known as radiation therapy, is a crucial component of treatment for many individuals diagnosed with breast cancer. This form of therapy utilises high-energy radiation to target and destroy cancer cells in the breast area. Here's an overview of breast radiotherapy:

1. Purpose: The primary goal of breast radiotherapy is to eliminate any remaining cancer cells in the breast tissue after surgery (such as lumpectomy or mastectomy). It can also be used to shrink tumours before surgery, known as neoadjuvant radiotherapy.
2. Types of Breast Radiotherapy:
   1. External Beam Radiation: This is the most common form of breast radiotherapy, where radiation is delivered from a machine outside the body. The radiation is precisely targeted to the breast area while minimising exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.
   2. Internal Radiation (Brachytherapy): In some cases, radioactive implants or seeds may be placed directly into the breast tissue near the tumour site. This delivers radiation internally, allowing for more targeted treatment.
3. Treatment Planning: Before starting breast radiotherapy, a radiation oncologist works with other members of the healthcare team to develop a personalised treatment plan. This plan takes into account the size and location of the tumour, as well as the individual's overall health and medical history.
4. Administration: Breast radiotherapy is typically administered in multiple sessions (fractions) over several weeks. Each session is relatively short, lasting only a few minutes, and is usually scheduled five days a week. The total number of sessions varies depending on factors such as tumour size, type, and stage of cancer.
5. Side Effects: While breast radiotherapy is generally well-tolerated, it can cause side effects such as skin irritation or redness in the treated area, fatigue, and temporary changes in breast texture. Most side effects are temporary and resolve after treatment completion.
6. Effectiveness: Breast radiotherapy has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of cancer recurrence in the treated breast and improve overall survival rates for individuals with breast cancer.
7. Follow-Up Care: After completing breast radiotherapy, patients typically undergo regular follow-up appointments to monitor their response to treatment and address any long-term side effects or concerns.

Final Thoughts

Breast cancer treatment is multifaceted, incorporating a range of interventions tailored to individual needs. Through early detection, surgical procedures, targeted therapies, and supportive care, patients can achieve favourable outcomes. Continued research and advancements promise even more effective treatments in the future.