Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy directs high-energy particles at the remaining tissue in your breast that once surrounded the cancer. The goal of this therapy is to kill any remaining cancer cells. The first time, your therapist will mark your skin with tiny dots of ink to outline the treatment area. This will help to direct the beam correctly for the weeks of treatment.

Radiation therapy is usually given 5 days a week for 6 to 7 weeks. Weekend rest breaks allow normal cells to recover. This schedule helps protect your healthy body tissues by spreading out the total dose of radiation. The radiation dose and the number of treatments you need will depend on the size and location of your cancer, type of tumor, your general health, and any other treatments you may be receiving.

Your radiation sessions will take only 1 to 5 minutes per day. You will not see or hear the radiation, and you most likely won't feel anything during the sessions.