A recent study for the first time presented a comprehensive analysis comparing quality of life from the two regimens of breast cancer radiation therapies. The findings of the study have been published this week in journal JAMA Oncology.

Women with early stage of breast cancer are usually seen undergoing a shorter and more powerful course of radiation therapy, according to the study.

The study, conducted by MD Anderson Cancer Center researchers, found that patients who received higher doses of whole breast radiation for four weeks showed better improvement as compared to those who were given lower doses over six weeks

Lead author Dr. SimonaShaitelman, a M.D. Anderson professor of radiation oncology, said, “The take-home message is that for women 40 and older with early-stage breast cancer, shorter, higher-dose radiation should be the standard of care. For too long, longer-course treatment has been the standard”.

According to study researchers, radiation therapy for breast cancer since long has been given in smaller doses for over a longer duration. This method is known as conventionally fractionated whole breast irradiation.

Nut, the new shorter and higher dose approach, known as hypofractionated whole breast cancer irradiation, has been around now for about a decade in the US, thanks to advancements made in technology.

The approach is widely employed in Canada and Great Britain, where studies conducted in this decade showed comparable rates of tumor control and overall survival at 10 years.

Presently in the US, only a third of patients who should undergo the shorter, higher-dose regimen under American Society of Radiation Oncology guidelines actually receive it.