Breast Cancer Radiation: Why Patients Are Asking About Proton Therapy
Somerset, N.J. – October 29, 2026 -- Women diagnosed with breast cancer, and the people supporting them, can ask whether proton therapy is an option if radiation is recommended, says ProCure Proton Therapy Center in New Jersey. For some patients, it may reduce radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissue, including the heart and lungs.
A study found fewer lung changes and skin reactions with protons
Research published earlier this year in Breast Cancer Research examined 8,189 breast cancer patients who received radiation after surgery. Of those, 501 were treated with proton therapy.
Lung changes visible on imaging occurred in 5.8% of the proton group, compared with 10.0% of the conventional radiation group. Skin reactions were also less frequent with protons, at 13.4% versus 20.9%.