Abilene, Texas medical center offers new Breast Cancer treatment

A new treatment is being offered at Hendrick Medical Center called 'Brachytherapy.'
Hendrick has always treated Breast Cancer patients, but those that lived outside of Abilene, Texas had to decide between traveling every week for radiation or undergoing a mastectomy. The surgeon removes the breast tumor and inserts a balloon device to make it possible for the radiation oncologist to treat the area after surgery.
Tiny, hollow catheters are temporarily inserted directly into the area where the tumor was removed. Doctors say it will drastically cut down on both treatment and recovery time.
"With this therapy, we can complete a patients surgery and radiation therapy in two weeks time," said Brent Mahoney, radiation oncologist at Hendrick Cancer Center. "This is opposed to a therapy that can last 3 to 4 months." "This really allows them to have the choice to decide what they want," said Norton. "If they qualify for this treatment, they can just come here, stay here and get their radiation therapy in five days instead of six weeks, so it's great for the patients."
Another big advantage of this treatment; less severe side effects, which is a big factor for patients fighting cancer. Another treatment option in the war against Cancer.