Preoperative Irradiation for Stage I Breast Cancer

This study is testing whether giving radiation therapy before surgery — instead of after — is safe and effective for women with early-stage breast cancer. This approach, called preoperative (or neoadjuvant) radiotherapy, may allow a smaller area of the breast to be treated while still preventing cancer from coming back. **You may be eligible if...** - You are female and 50 or older - You have confirmed breast cancer with a tumor 3 cm or smaller (invasive) or 4 cm or smaller (DCIS) - Your cancer has not spread to distant organs - You are planning to have breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You have already received chemotherapy or hormone therapy for this cancer - You have had prior radiation to the chest - Your cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or beyond Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.