Breast cancer radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells in a specific area of the body. For breast cancer, it's most commonly given after breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy to reduce the risk of the cancer returning. It can also be used to treat lymph nodes affected by cancer, or to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

Treatment is planned individually for each person, based on the type of surgery you've had, the characteristics of your cancer and your personal risk of recurrence. Your oncologist will explain why radiotherapy has been recommended for you and what your treatment plan will involve. Your oncologist will explain why radiotherapy has been recommended for you and what your treatment plan will involve. At HCA UK, our radiotherapy is planned by a multidisciplinary team, including clinical oncologists, radiographers and physicists, to make sure every treatment is as precise and effective as possible.

Your medical team may recommend radiotherapy based on your individual diagnosis, for example, the type of surgery you've had, the size of your tumour, or whether cancer cells were found in your lymph nodes. Radiotherapy helps to reduce the risk of breast cancer returning in the treated area.

Your consultant will explain why radiotherapy is being recommended, what it involves and any possible side effects. Together with your named clinical nurse specialist, they'll be able to answer your questions and support you in making informed decisions about your care.

Whole breast radiotherapy treats the entire breast and is the most established approach after breast-conserving surgery. Partial breast radiotherapy targets only the area around where the tumour was removed.

For people with a lower risk of the cancer returning, research has shown partial breast radiotherapy can be as effective as whole breast radiotherapy, while treating a smaller area of healthy tissue. Your oncologist will explain which approach is most suitable for your individual diagnosis.

Not everyone needs radiotherapy after a mastectomy. It's usually recommended if there's a higher risk of the cancer returning, for example, if the tumour was large, multiple lymph nodes were affected, or the surgical margins were close to the cancer.

If radiotherapy is recommended, it's usually given to the chest wall, and may also include the lymph node areas. Your surgeon and oncologist will plan this together, especially if you've had or are going to have breast reconstruction.

The side effects you experience will depend on the area being treated. Common effects include skin changes similar to sunburn, fatigue, breast or chest swelling, and stiffness around the shoulder. Most side effects settle within a few weeks of finishing treatment, though some changes to the breast can develop over the following months and years.

Not everyone experiences all side effects, and your oncology team will discuss what to expect from your specific treatment. Your Clinical Nurse Specialist will be available throughout your treatment and afterwards to support you.

Most courses of breast cancer radiotherapy involve daily treatment sessions, Monday to Friday, over one to three weeks. The exact length depends on the type of radiotherapy recommended and your individual treatment plan. If a radiotherapy boost is needed, this may add a small number of extra sessions. Each treatment session itself is short, usually taking around 15 to 20 minutes, though your first planning appointment will take longer. Your oncologist will explain the expected schedule for your specific treatment.