Breast Cancer Radiotherapy Side Effects
The Lancet Oncology reports on research studies by Darby and colleagues and Giordano and coworkers, on the side effects of radiotherapy in women being treated for breast cancer - notably on lung tissue and on the heart.
Women treated during the 1970’s had a significantly higher rate of cardiac mortality where the left breast had been treated. This level has improved with time but researchers concluded that ’local control is important, but the risk of cardiac death after radiotherapy to the left breast needs to be taken into account.