New techniques and new ways to use radiation therapy are under study in clinical trials. The results of these trials will decide whether they become part of standard care.

Learn about emerging areas in radiation therapy for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

Repeat radiation therapy for breast cancer recurrence

Mastectomy is typically the standard treatment for breast cancer recurrence in women who were treated with lumpectomy and radiation therapy for early breast cancer [6]. In general, radiation therapy to the breast can only be given once. So, it’s not usually used to treat a recurrence in the same breast.

Early data suggest some women with a breast cancer recurrence may be treated with repeat radiation therapy given only to the area of the recurrence [14]. Women who have had a long time since their past radiation therapy for breast cancer and have small cancers that haven’t spread to the lymph nodes may be the best candidates for this treatment [14].

Proton radiation therapy

Proton radiation therapy delivers a precise dose of radiation therapy, targeting a tumor with little impact on normal tissue. It’s used to treat some cancers that require a high level of precision to ensure nearby tissues are not harmed, such as brain tumors in children.

Proton radiation therapy is under study for use in treating breast cancer. It’s only available in clinical trials.

Clinical trials

After talking with your health care provider, we encourage you to consider joining a clinical trial.

Susan G. Komen® Breast Cancer Clinical Trial Information Helpline

If you or a loved one needs information or resources about clinical trials, call our Clinical Trial Information Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877- 465- 6636) or email clinicaltrialinfo@komen.org.

BreastCancerTrials.org in collaboration with Susan G. Komen^® offers a custom matching service to help find clinical trials that fit your health needs.

Learn more about clinical trials.

Our commitment to research

At Susan G. Komen®, we are committed to saving lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer. Our Research Program is an essential driving force for achieving this mission. Since our inception in 1982, Komen has provided funding to support research grants that have greatly expanded our knowledge of breast cancer and helped us understand that breast cancer is not just a single disease but many diseases, unique to each individual. Going forward, our commitment to research will contribute significantly to our ability to achieve our Bold Goal of reducing the current number of breast cancer deaths in the U.S. by 50 percent. To date, Komen has provided more than $1 billion to researchers in 47 states, the District of Columbia and 24 countries to support research that has resulted in a better understanding of breast cancer; earlier detection; personalized, less invasive treatments for what was once a “one-treatment-fits-all” disease; and improvements in both quality of life and survival rates. Learn more about our continuing investment in research and the exciting research that we are funding, because nothing would make us happier than ending breast cancer forever.