It is now being found that those women who had higher doses of radiation over a shorter duration (over three weeks) found as much benefit in the therapy as did others who received radiation over longer durations (5 weeks of treatment). According to the research, there is an equal efficacy of the shorter duration.
The shorter duration of treatment made it no more likely that the cancer would return; neither did the women experience any more side effects.
This is good news not only for the women who would typically find it convenient and more cost effective to have therapy that lasts for a shorter duration but also for the health care system. The cost burden on the health care system is also therefore lower.
