What is the primary objective of radiation therapy in breast cancer treatment?

The primary objective of radiation therapy in breast cancer treatment is to destroy remaining cancer cells post-surgery. After surgical procedures such as lumpectomy or mastectomy, there is often a risk that microscopic cancer cells may still be present in the surrounding breast tissue or lymph nodes. Radiation therapy aims to target these residual cancer cells to reduce the chances of recurrence, thereby improving overall treatment outcomes and survival rates.

This approach is critical because while surgery successfully removes a significant portion of the cancer, radiation acts as an additional layer of treatment to eliminate any remaining cells that could potentially develop into new tumors. It is a targeted therapy that allows for a localized treatment without affecting the entire body, which can lead to a more effective management of the disease.

Options that focus on hair loss or nutrition do not align with the specific therapeutic goals of radiation in the context of breast cancer. While pain relief can be a component of cancer care, it is not the primary focus of radiation therapy, which is fundamentally about eliminating cancerous cells.