New study examines breast cancer treatment options

A recently published study looks at breast conservation treatment.
A recently published study looks at breast conservation treatment. | shutterstock

The Journal of Community and Supportive Oncology recently published a study that presented two key research findings dealing with treatment options for breast cancer.

The first finding from the study that was discussed was breast conservation treatment (BCT), which is administered in a community setting. BCT (also known as a lumpectomy plus radiation therapy) showed survival rates that are higher than the national average. The second finding that came about as a result of the study was that the survival rates due to BCT were higher than the national average when put up against other treatment options.

The study was funded by Vantage Oncology, and co-authored by Vantage Oncology and Valley Radiotherapy Associates Medical Group (VRA) physicians and clinicians.

“We have been treating breast cancer patients in the community setting for several decades and believe we have positively influenced the level of quality care,” Vantage Oncology CMO Dr. Leslie Botnick said. “We conducted this study because breast cancer is one of the most commonly treated cancers in radiation oncology. It is very often treated in community settings across the country where many of our affiliated centers have a footprint. We now have demonstration that breast cancer treatment in the community setting has excellent results, with survival rates as good — if not better — than the national average, which includes treatment in the hospital setting.”