Technology improving the fight against breast cancer

A lesser-known side effect of radiation treatment is a sunburn-like reaction on the areas of the body where the radiation is targeted.

“It’s a sunburn like you’ve never had,” shares IU Health Arnett senior public relations coordinator Rhonda Jones, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017.

Part of her treatment included seven weeks of radiation. "Every day for 15 minutes, and you think, ‘15 minutes, that's no big deal’ ... but it's exhausting," shares Jones.

IU Health Arnett now has new technology that more effectively delivers radiation to targeted areas of the body. The linear accelerator at the Arnett Cancer Center, the most advanced linear accelerator in the state, delivers radiation treatments in less than half the time as previous radiation technology in some cases and with greater precision—meaning faster cancer treatment and reduced side effects.

Doctors can now cut what was once seven weeks of radiation down to three.

Jones, who underwent radiation before the linear accelerator was available in Lafayette, shares firsthand insights on what this technology really means to patients with breast cancer.

More than 95% of breast cancers can be treated and cured with early detection. Read more about mammography options and other technological advances.

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