Air Date: Thursday, June 22, 2006
Cancer treatment
Some women with early stage breast cancer have another treatment option. North Shore Medical Center is one of four sites in the state involved in a study that speeds up radiation treatment.
After a diagnosis of breast cancer treatment begins and for many women that includes radiation.
"Right now the standard treatment is to treat women over about six and a half weeks once a day five days a week," Dr. Jim McIntyre, of North Shore Medical Center said.
But oncologist Dr. McIntyre says that can be inconvenient for some women. Now certain breast cancer patients will have another option. North Shore Medical Center is part of a national study on partial breast radiation.
"This trial ends up accelerating the treatment so the treatment is all done within a week. They're treated twice a day over five days," Dr. McIntyre said.
Another benefit of partial breast radiation.
"Another advantage to the accelerated treatment is that the radiation is focused on a portion of the breast instead of the entire breast," Dr. McIntyre said.
55-year old Elizabeth Harnois plans to take part in the study.
"There were two reasons. One was personal to take advantage of the short term radiation...of the partial breast versus the whole breast," Elizabeth said, "And the other one, since I already have breast cancer, I might as well help future people who come down with it."
This Sunday, North Shore Medical Center will hold their annual cancer walk to raise money for the center. This will be the 16th year of the walk. They hope to raise a million dollars. The walk is six and a half miles.
Related link:
North Shore Medical Center
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