This cross sectional survey study by Loma Linda University compared patient-reported QoL outcomes among women with stage 0-2 disease treated with lumpectomy followed by whole breast irradiation (WBI, 50 Gy x-ray delivered to the entire breast, followed by a 10-Gy boost to the tumor bed, delivered five days per week for approximately six weeks), or partial breast proton irradiation (PBPT, 40 CGE in 10 daily fractions).

This study concluded that QoL in PBPT‐treated women is, at 5‐10 years post‐treatment, significantly better than those treated with WBI for all domains analyzed. PBPT patients reported less pain, less fatigue, fewer restrictions in daily activities, and better cosmetic results over several corroborating domains. Results confirm that PBPT is not only an effective BCT treatment option for early‐stage disease, but that it also presents significantly improved overall outcomes many years out from treatment, across many domains.