Radiotherapy

This Navigator topic is your stepping stone to finding quality, current information on radiotherapy treatment for early breast cancer, from a range of reputable sources. It is not meant to be comprehensive, but rather to provide a starting point to information seeking.

It is aimed at women who have been diagnosed with early breast cancer and are faced with making decisions about treatment options including radiotherapy. Having access to quality information to help you make informed decisions is vital.

Last Updated: 2 April, 2024 12:52 pm

About This Topic

Aim of radiotherapy

The aim of radiotherapy is to destroy breast cancer cells that may have remained after breast surgery. Radiotherapy uses radiation to kill or damage cancer cells and stop them from growing and multiplying.

Although radiation can also damage normal cells, these cells are better able to self-repair. This is one reason why radiotherapy is given in small doses over several weeks. The radiotherapy damage to the breast cancer cells accumulates with each treatment and kills the cancer cells, while healthy cells recover between each treatment and are maintained.

After a wide local excision (WLE) radiotherapy is usually recommended. After mastectomy, radiotherapy may also be recommended along with other treatments like chemotherapy and endocrine (hormonal treatments). Your treatment plan will depend on your individual diagnosis and circumstances.

Understanding potential side effects

Radiotherapy is an effective treatment for many cancer types. All treatments have some side effects and these vary from person to person. However side effects for radiotherapy for breast cancer are fairly predictable.

Some people can find the thought of having radiotherapy frightening. Talking over your concerns about side effects with your radiation oncologist, breast care nurse or other member of your treating team will help you understand radiotherapy and how to manage side effects if they arise. There are resources in this Navigator topic to help you understand how radiotherapy works, potential side effects and strategies to help you manage.

Seeking advice and support

The time of diagnosis of breast cancer can feel overwhelming. You may be given a lot of information about your treatment options which may be difficult to process all at once. To help you:

It’s okay to take time to make sense of the information you have been given and talk to your breast care nurse or other health professional about what it all means.
You might find it helpful to talk to your family and friends about your treatment options.
Talking with others who have been through the experience of breast cancer and radiotherapy can be helpful. In this Navigator topic there are resources listed (under Personal Stories) for linking in to peer support to share your concerns, fears and aspirations for treatment.
There are resources available in Navigator topic on Decision making, and other topics that may be of assistance.

The purpose of this navigator is to guide you to information about radiotherapy for early breast cancer that will help inform your decision-making. It does not constitute an endorsement of the information contained in the resources. This information is not meant to be a replacement for consultations with and recommendations from your treating team, but rather to provide a starting point to information seeking. If you are unsure about anything, you should always consult your health professional team.

Key Questions

When making decisions about radiotherapy treatment, you may wish to consider the following questions. These questions may help you decide about the treatment of your breast cancer. You might want the answers to some of the questions straight away, while some may become important later on. You can either ask these questions directly to your oncologist or other medical specialist, or use them as a guide to put together your own questions.

How does radiotherapy work?
Can radiotherapy be as good as an operation to stop cancer developing?
Why is chemotherapy sometimes given together with radiotherapy?
Why is radiotherapy given to some patients and not others?
Will having radiotherapy have any impact on my choices for breast reconstruction?
What is likely to happen if I don't have radiotherapy?
Does radiotherapy hurt?
How long does each session take?
How many sessions will there be?
How often do I need to attend for treatment?
Why does a radiotherapy course take so long?
Who do I talk to if I have questions in between my radiotherapy treatments?
Will there be any side effects?
Will radiotherapy make me feel tired?
Can radiatiotherapy cause cancer?
Will I be radioactive? Can I play with my children?
Will I lose my hair?
How long will the side effects last?
Who can I talk to about ways of managing the side effects?
Can I do all the things I normally do while on treatment? Is there anything I won’t be able to do?

Key Organisations

These listings provide links to the websites of organisations with a particular focus on radiotherapy. The link will direct you to the home page where you can search their site independently. The information on these websites includes evidence-based information by organisations that may subscribe to reputable online Health information standard such as the HONCode.

Victorian Government Radiotherapy Services (AUS)

A link to the Victorian Governments list of public and private radiotherapy services in Victoria. Click on 'Radiotherapy service locations'.

Online Resources

This list features links to key pieces of evidence-based information about radiotherapy for early breast cancer, and includes videos, downloadable fact sheets, pamphlets, or PDFs and web pages.

Counterpart - Radiation therapy for breast cancer webinar 2020 (AUS)

Kez Brown, a Radiation Therapist, and Naina Dhana, a Clinical Educator from Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre, discuss techniques used to deliver radiotherapy, the benefits and side effects of this treatment, as well as current and emerging trends. Hosted by Fiona McRae.

Cancer Australia - Radiotherapy - Breast Cancer 2021 (AUS)

A web page explaining the purpose of radiotherapy for early breast cancer. Includes links to information on timing, travel, side effects and skin care.

Breast Cancer Network Australia - Radiotherapy 2023 (AUS)

A page on the BCNA website about radiotherapy, which includes tips for preparing for and coping with radiotherapy.

Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) - My Journey online tool (AUS)

Formerly the My Journey Kit, this tool is now online. Sign up to access information that can be tailored to your own situation. Find information on radiotherapy under the Treatment section.

Cancer Council Victoria - Radiation Therapy 2022 (AUS)

This web page explains how radiotherapy works, and what to expect from treatment. Link at the bottom of the page to the booklet 'Understanding radiation therapy' listed below.

Cancer Council - Understanding Radiation Therapy 2021 (AUS)

PDF booklet explaining how radiotherapy works, different types and side effects.

Radiation - Cancer Survivor Guide 2018 (AUS)

Episode 4 of this podcast explains how radiation therapy works, and the roles of the Radiation Oncologist and Radiation Therapist.

Radiation Oncology - 'Breast cancer' 2020 (AUS)

Information on breast cancer in general, with specialist information on radiation therapy treatment and side effects. Radiation Oncology is the Faculty of Radiation Oncology, The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists.

Breast Cancer Now - 'Radiotherapy for Primary Breast Cancer' 2022 (UK)

Web page by Breast Cancer Now, in the UK, with comprehensive information about radiotherapy treatment for early breast cancer including why it may not be an option; how it is given; treatment planning and side effects.

BreastCancer.org - Radiation Therapy 2024 (US)

A web page on radiotherapy on the US based Breast Cancer.Org’s website that looks at how radiotherapy works; when its appropriate; types of radiation and managing side effects.

UK National Health Service - Radiotherapy 2023 (UK)

A page about Radiotherapy on the UK’s National Health Service’s website which features a five minute video on radiotherapy (scroll down the page to find video). The video has footage of a patient undergoing radiotherapy treatment, and an interview with an oncologist who describes the process, benefits and potential side effects.

Macmillan Cancer Support - Radiotherapy 2022 (UK)

Simple explanation of radiotherapy: how it works, how to prepare and what to expect.

Counterpart - Heart health: links to cancer treatment 2020 (AUS)

Presented in collaboration with the Heart Foundation, Professor Liza Thomas outlines the long-term impacts of cancer treatment on heart health. With Julie Anne Mitchell. Hosted by Kellie Holland.

Counterpart webinar - 'Cancer fatigue' 2020 (VIC)

Elizabeth Pearson, Occupational Therapist PhD, discusses the evidence for managing cancer-related fatigue. 2020

Cancer Council NSW - Managing cancer fatigue 2017 (AUS)

In episode 3 of the podcast 'The thing about cancer', Julie McCrossin and Dr Haryana Dhillon discuss ways of managing cancer fatigue.

Offline Resources

This is a list of hard copy resources such as books and DVDs that are not readily available online.

Breast Cancer Taking Control (AUS)

Written by an Australian Oncologist, this book includes a comprehensive chapter on radiotherapy and developing treatment plans. Available in the Counterpart Resource Centre. Not for loan.

Boyages J, Boycare Publishing, 2010

Personal Stories

This list features websites that containing personal stories both written and in video format, and includes blogs and online forums. The information contained in these links reflects the personal experiences of individuals and does not constitute evidence-based research or information.

Counterpart (AUS)

Counterpart (formerly BreaCan) is a unique free information and support service for Victorian women living with breast or gynaecological cancers. Women can connect and speak with trained peer support volunteers who have experienced cancer themselves or cared for someone who has.