Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer globally. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), there were an estimated 2.3 million new cases worldwide in 2022, representing a significant public health burden.
In a significant development for patient care, accelerated radiotherapy regimens are being adopted to reduce treatment time. For eligible patients with early-stage breast cancer, a full course of post-lumpectomy radiotherapy can be completed in one week (5 days) instead of the traditional three to six weeks.
This approach, known as hypofractionated radiotherapy, delivers a slightly higher dose per session over fewer sessions. Large-scale clinical trials, including the UK FAST-Forward trial, have demonstrated that the 5-day regimen is as effective and safe as longer courses for preventing cancer recurrence, with similar long-term side effects.
The shorter schedule substantially reduces the practical and logistical burden on patients, including travel, time off work, and associated costs. It also increases the efficiency of radiotherapy departments, allowing them to treat more patients. This evidence-based shift represents a meaningful advance in making effective cancer care more patient-centered and accessible.
