Preparing for breast cancer radiation therapy on the left side with Karen Winkfield, MD, PhD

Radiation therapy is an important part of treatment for many people diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. High-energy beams are used to destroy cancer cells that were not removed during surgery and to lower the risk of cancer returning to the breast. But the chest is home to other vital organs, including the heart, which can sit very close to the chest wall in many people. Delivering effective radiation treatment while protecting the heart from the effects of radiation is one of the highest priorities for your healthcare team. Living Beyond Breast Cancer CEO Jean A. Sachs, MSS, MLSP, spoke with radiation oncologist Karen Winkfield, MD, PhD, about the importance of protecting the heart during radiation therapy, and the technology and techniques that have been developed to make radiation therapy safe.