Radiation therapy is a type of breast cancer treatment that uses high intensity energy beams to destroy cancer cells. Almost 65%Trusted Source of people who receive a breast cancer diagnosis receive radiation therapy treatment, according to a 2023 review.
A benefit of radiation therapy is that it can destroy cancer cells within a specific area. But in the process, it can affect nearby healthy tissue.
According to the National Cancer InstituteTrusted Source, recent studies suggest proton therapy may be a more safe and effective treatment than traditional radiation therapy. However, there’s still limited long-term research that compares the two.
Keep reading to learn more about proton therapy for breast cancer.
What is proton therapy for breast cancer?
Proton therapy is a type of radiation therapy that uses charged particles called protons. This allows for more precise targeting of the tumor compared with traditional radiation therapy, where the energy comes from X-rays.
In traditional radiation therapy, also known as photon therapy, the energy beams pass through the tumor and continue. This may harm nearby healthy tissues and organs, such as the heart or lungs.
However, in proton therapy, radiation stops where the tumor stops. This means a doctor can concentrate the energy beams directly on the tumor without letting it pass through to the underlying tissue.
As a result, proton therapy may reduceTrusted Source the risk of damage to the heart and lungs. This may be particularly helpful if you have breast cancer on your left side, closer to your heart.
Proton therapy may be used to help treat various types of breast cancer. Speak with your doctor about whether proton therapy is a good option for your treatment.
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