Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy targets breast cancer cells with high-energy radiation in an attempt to kill them and shrink tumors. Radiation causes damage to the DNA of cancer cells, or produces free radicals within these cells, to prevent them from reproducing. Radiation therapy for breast cancer is generally performed after surgical treatment or following chemotherapy after surgery, most commonly after lumpectomy. This helps to eliminate any lingering cancer cells, which helps to prevent breast cancer recurrence.