A study released by the New England Journal of Medicine, March 13, found an increased risk of ischemic heart disease in women who had been exposed to radiation as a part of breast cancer treatments. The increased risk depends on the amount of radiation the heart is exposed to, however, the increase in the risk is modest and is no cause for alarm.  

“It would be a real tragedy if this put women off having radiotherapy for breast cancer,” Sarah Darby, the lead author of the study told the New York Times.

The findings are important because doctors need to be aware that patients who have been treated for breast cancer may be at an increased risk of heart disease so they can consider that along with other factors.

The study may also motivate research into ways to minimize radiation exposure to the heart during breast cancer treatments.