It's Breast Cancer Awareness month and we have various studies and developments happening related to it.

A new study is a relief for those who have been detected with an early stage. The study states that the shorter course of higher intensive radiation treatment is just as effective as treating early-stage breast cancer as a longer regimen of lower dose radiation.

The findings could could lead the patients taking 3 weeks of radiation therapy after a lumpectomy, which is opposed to the current treatment standard of four to six weeks.

Researchers states that past studies have shown that three weeks of radiation is as safe and effective as longer treatment regimens among patients with a decreased risk of tumor recurrence.

The new study has concluded that it is the same and true for patients who qualify for breast conserving therapy but they face a high risk of tumor recurrence which is because of slightly large tumor size or it could be because of various other factors.

Dr. Frank Vicini, who is the lead study author, a radiation oncologist and the national director of research and breast care services at GenesisCare states that most of his patients in his practice belongs to the latter group.

“Three weeks of radiation after lumpectomy is just as effective for patients who have a higher risk of recurrence as it is for lower-risk patients,” said Vicini, he presented his findings at the recent American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting, in a press release. “This approach cuts treatment time for these patients in half.”

Sources - Healthline