Less aggressive treatment for low-risk breast cancer found to be 'just as effective

TRIAL LIMITING RADIATION THERAPY TO THE TUMOUR AREA, RATHER THAN THE WHOLE BREAST, HAS 'TRANSFORMED' THE WAY THE DISEASE IS TREATED

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MORE targeted and less aggressive radiotherapy for low-risk breast cancer could spare thousands of women from the harsh side-effects of the treatment, a trial has found.

The technique, which has since been adopted by the NHS, has "transformed" the way the disease is treated in its early stages, say researchers.

More than 37,000 women have radiotherapy for breast cancer in the UK every year. The treatment uses radiation to kill cancer cells and is usually given after surgery to reduce the risk of the disease coming back.

However, side-effects can include changes in breast size and shape, swelling in the arms or breast, and pain.

The Import Low trial, led by The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and the University of Cambridge, found limiting radiation to the tumour area, rather than treating the whole breast, was just as effective.

The study included 2,018 women across 30 radiotherapy centres in the UK, who were monitored for 10 years after treatment. It compared three radiotherapy approaches - whole-breast, partial-breast and a reduced-dose.

After a decade, cancer recurrence rates in the group given partial radiotherapy was three per cent, the same proportion as those who had been treated with a more aggressive approach.