Radiation
How Radiation Works
Radiation therapy uses external, high-energy beams to damage the DNA of cancer cells, stopping them from growing, dividing, or spreading. Over time, most of the damaged cells die off, helping to shrink tumors and destroy cancer. Like chemotherapy, the goal is to target fast-growing cancer cells.
What Makes Radiation Different
Radiation is a local therapy, which means it treats cancer in a specific area — such as the breast, chest wall, or lymph nodes. The surrounding healthy tissue is protected during treatment.
You won’t be able to see or feel the radiation while it’s happening. This can be strange or unsettling at first, but it’s completely normal. The effects are happening on a cellular level, even if you can’t sense them in real time.
Radiation May Be One Part of Your Treatment Plan
Everyone’s treatment plan is different. You might receive radiation therapy on its own, or alongside other treatments like surgery, chemo, or endocrine therapy — depending on your diagnosis and care team’s recommendations.
Susan G. Komen’s Radiation 101 Video
Understanding what to expect from radiation therapy can make the experience feel less uncertain and more manageable. This video resource offers a clear, patient-friendly overview of radiation therapy—what it is, how it works, and what to expect during treatment.
Why You Might Need Radiation
Radiation therapy can play a key role in treating breast cancer, depending on your diagnosis, the size and location of the tumor, and whether the cancer has spread. It’s often part of a bigger treatment plan designed just for you — and understanding why it’s recommended can help you feel more in control of what’s ahead.
