New study explores omission of radiation in older women with breast cancer

Constance M. Chen, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon and breast reconstruction specialist, shares some thoughts. “While women have traditionally received radiation therapy after lumpectomy, it is an option to decline radiation therapy after lumpectomy—as long as women understand that they have a higher chance of having another breast cancer in their breast but they don’t have a higher chance of metastasis or dying.” Some patients will be willing to accept the risk of local recurrence, Chen says. That’s if they don’t want to undergo the effects of radiation therapy. Also, she says, “If they do have a local recurrence of breast cancer, they can undergo another lumpectomy or mastectomy without worrying that they are at a higher risk of dying.”

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