What Should I Expect During Breast Cancer Radiotherapy?

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in women within the EU region and the picture is the same when you look at the prevalence of this form of cancer in Austria. It is estimated that one in 11 women in the EU will develop breast cancer before they reach the age of 74.

This means that it is reasonably likely that you will know someone who has received a breast cancer diagnosis, either in Austria or elsewhere in the EU.

Being diagnosed with breast cancer can be scary. However, it’s important to note that with the right treatment plan, you can beat breast cancer. In fact, the avoidable mortality rate for breast cancer in Austria is nine per cent below the EU average.

Avoidable mortality means deaths as a result of conditions that could be prevented or treated. Having a low avoidable mortality rate is therefore positive, because it shows more women are receiving the treatment they need to survive the disease.

What are the treatment options for breast cancer?

The most appropriate treatment for breast cancer will depend on the size and location of the tumour. For some women, this could mean having a lump surgically removed from the breast. This is called a lumpectomy.

For others, it could mean a full mastectomy, where one breast is fully removed, or a double mastectomy where both are removed.

You will need to undergo a detailed diagnostic procedure so that your medical team can fully understand the nature of your tumour and its precise location. Often tools such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) will be used to understand the characteristics of each patient’s cancer.

After breast cancer surgery, radiotherapy is often recommended to reduce the risk of the cancer returning and destroy any remaining cancer cells.

How does breast cancer radiotherapy work?

After you have had surgery, you will usually require breast cancer radiotherapy. Our team uses high-performance treatment planning software, based on data from your MRI and CT scans, as well as your other relevant medical information, to develop the most optimal treatment plan for you.

This treatment plan is completely personalised to your cancer and therefore you can feel confident that the radiotherapy will be targeted in the most efficient way to help you on the road to recovery.

In most cases, external beam radiation will be the most appropriate option for post-surgery treatment. This is a well-known and generally reliable form of radiotherapy that works by directing one or more beams of high-energy X-ray directly at your tumour.

These X-rays damage the structure of the cancer cells, which prevents them from multiplying. We use a medical linear accelerator, commonly known as a LINAC, during our radiotherapy treatments. This piece of equipment can rotate around you during your treatment, which enables us to direct the radiation at your tumour from different angles.

The main benefit of this approach is that it maximises the cancer cells’ exposure to the radiation, while minimising exposure for the healthy cells in the breast and surrounding tissue.

Although the precise number of radiotherapy sessions you’ll require will depend on your specific diagnosis, normally this treatment is administered over the course of multiple sessions that span several weeks.

These breaks in treatment are important as they give the healthy cells time to recover before you receive your next round of radiotherapy.

How can you tell if the radiotherapy is working?

We use a technique called in-vivo monitoring during your course of treatment. This tracks the precise dose and location of the radiation administered as your course of radiotherapy progresses.

As a result, we can adjust your treatment as needed, based on how the tumour responds to the radiotherapy.

How can I prepare for breast cancer radiotherapy?

Make sure you talk to the team at the radiotherapy clinic you’re visiting to understand what will happen during each round of treatment. When you have radiotherapy you will normally be asked to undress in the area that requires treatment.

During the session, you’ll need to stay still to allow the radiographers to precisely target the X-rays. Your radiographers will leave the room during your treatment but will speak to you throughout and may give you simple instructions.

The best way you can prepare for your treatment is to give yourself plenty of time to arrive for your sessions so that you feel as calm as possible. It’s also important to allow yourself to rest when you need to.

One of the most common side effects of radiotherapy is tiredness and weakness, so be kind to yourself and don’t try to do too much.