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SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2009

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Quicker Therapy Just as Good for Breast Cancer

(Newser Summary) – Intensive, short-term radiation therapy battles breast cancer as well as the usual longer treatment, Canadian researchers said today. Their study of 1,200 women showed that after 12 years, 1 to 3 weeks of daily treatment kept cancer at bay slightly better than 5 to 7 weeks of the more common therapy, Reuters reports.

"We were surprised that the risk of local recurrence and side effects for women treated with accelerated whole breast irradiation was so low even at 12 years," one scientist said. Another study revealed today showed that women who undergo tumor removal can have radioactive "seeds" implanted instead of getting regular treatment. The method is convenient for women who live far from a radiation center, one doctor said.
Source: Reuters

More about:  breast cancer • cancer treatment • radiation

A Canadian study showed that short-term breast cancer...
A Canadian study showed that short-term breast cancer therapy keeps cancer at bay as well as regular treatment.   (Shutterstock)
Shorter, more intense treatments can battle cancer...
Shorter, more intense treatments can battle cancer as well as normal radiation therapy, scientists said today.   (Shutterstock)
A mammogram machine.
A mammogram machine.   (Shutterstock)
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