Jennifer Matthews: With a rooftop apartment in the center of the Windy City, Kathleen Rau is usually flying high. But her spirits sank when she was diagnosed with breast cancer a few months ago.
Kathleen Rau: When I heard the word 'cancer,' and she described it as noninvasive cancer, my first thought was, 'Well what does that mean? Isn't it all invasive?'
Jennifer Matthews: Rau's cancer was caught at an early stage. She had a lumpectomy and is now one of the first people to get a new kind of radiation.
Dr. Adam Dickler: It's a safer radiation, which gives physicians more control over the radiation.
Jennifer Matthews: After the lumpectomy, a balloon catheter is inserted. This miniature X-ray tube then goes into the balloon, electrically generating X-rays that deliver radiation. The advantages, less radiation hits the heart and lung and that system can be used almost anywhere and prevents patients from having to travel to a big medical center.
Dr. Adam Dickler: I think it might make partial breast radiation a lot more accessible for the many patients that are eligible for it.
Jennifer Matthews: With her first treatment over Kathleen only has four more days to go.
Kathleen Rau: I can't imagine, you know, having to go every day for eight weeks, or six weeks, like most women have.
Jennifer Matthews: She feels good and says that cause for a celebration. This is Jennifer Matthews reporting.
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