Single dose radiotherapy eases breast cancer stress

Trials showed that women found it easier, quicker and less stressful
Trials showed that women found it easier, quicker and less stressful

Thousands of women with breast cancer will be offered a new form of radiotherapy to spare them weeks of gruelling treatment.

The half-hour treatment is carried out at the same time as surgery, and trials showed that women found it easier, quicker and less stressful than conventional treatment while proving just as effective. It could also protect the heart and lungs against harmful radiotherapy.

Experts said the technique of applying radiation from directly inside the cavity from which a tumour had been removed could be applied to other types of cancer, and it has been used in those of the brain, spine and rectum.

More than half of the 42,000 British women who develop breast cancer each year are likely to be suitable for the