“There is a potential to decrease the cost and burden of treatments for early stage breast cancer patients without compromising care,” Dr. Laura Kruper, co-director of the breast cancer program at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in Duarte, California, told CBS News. But there are often high-risk factors that come up on microscopic evaluations, which require the longer radiation treatments, she advised

Kruper was not part of the research team.


In addition, treatment approaches have changed since 2011, when this data was gathered, according to Dr. Seth Rosenthal, chair of the American College of Radiology’s oncology commission. He also was not part of the study.

“More patients are being offered the shorter course of radiation for treatment of early breast cancer,” he said.

Dr. Don S. Dizon, clinical co-director of Gynecologic Oncology, director of the Oncology Sexual Health Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital, and an American Society of Clinical Oncology breast cancer expert, also reflected in an ASCO statement on the importance of the study, noting that “there are many factors in determining high-quality, high-value care for our patients, including clinical benefit and costs. This study suggests that the tailored use of radiation therapy (including when not to use it) based on clinical evidence represents high quality cancer care, particularly in women 50 years and older who undergo lumpectomy."

"At the same time, continued Dizon, "this study demonstrates that this evidence-based approach to treatment also reduces the associated costs. This study further emphasizes the importance of the shared decision-making process between physicians and patients.”

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