Study: Radiation Cuts Risk for Women With Early Breast Cancer

Women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) -- a precancer that occurs when cells in the lining of the milk ducts in the breast show cancerous changes -- can significantly lower their risk of a recurrence of breast cancer by having radiation therapy, according to researchers.

In a study of 1,700 women in Britain, Australia and New Zealand, radiation therapy cut the risk of a recurrence of DCIS in the same breast by 60 percent, and the risk of invasive cancer by more than 50 percent, the researchers reported in the journal The Lancet.

All of the women in the trial had surgery and subsequently received either radiotherapy and tamoxifen or both, or had no further treatment.

Advances in breast screening have led to an increase in the number of women diagnosed with DCIS, a precancer that occurs when cells in the lining of the milk ducts in the breast show cancerous changes. While a mastectomy may be necessary if the DCIS is extensive, more commonly it is treated by removing the affected area followed by radiation therapy.

The researchers said the results of the study supported findings from two earlier studies that showed the benefits of radiation therapy for DCIS patients.

Other Sources: The Lancet