Hypofractionation With Simultaneous Integrated Boost vs. Standard Fractionation in Early Breast Cancer

This study is for women who have had surgery to remove early breast cancer and still need radiotherapy. You must be at least 18 years old, and your cancer should have been fully removed during surgery with clear edges (margins). The doctors also need to be able to clearly identify the area where the tumour was.

You would not be able to join if you had a mastectomy (where the whole breast is removed), or if the edges of the removed tumour were not clear. You also can't participate if you need radiotherapy to your lymph nodes, have had radiotherapy to your chest before, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Other serious health conditions or participating in other trials that might affect this one would also prevent you from joining.

If you decide to take part in this study, you would be assigned to one of two groups: either the standard radiotherapy treatment group or the newer hypofractionated radiotherapy with integrated boost group. This would be decided randomly, like flipping a coin. Both treatments involve daily visits to the radiotherapy department, typically five days a week. You would receive a set number of treatments over a period of several weeks, depending on which group you are in. Throughout the treatment and follow-up period, you would have regular appointments to check on how you are doing, manage any side effects, and monitor your health. You will also be asked to complete questionnaires to understand how you are feeling and any side effects you might experience. The total duration of your participation in the study, including follow-up, will be explained by the study team.