Clinical research published in Radiotherapy and Oncology shows a breakthrough treatment for skin recovering from radiation therapy. Radiation often causes severe skin reactions, including mild redness, ulceration, pain, burning, and itching. A new silicone dressing, which adheres closely to the small folds in the skin without needing adhesives, helps protect skin from friction to allow proper healing from radiation damage in breast cancer patients. Patries Herst, M.D., of the University of Otago Wellington’s Department of Radiation Therapy, recently conducted a trial in collaboration with Dunedin Hospital (New Zealand) and demonstrated the effectiveness of the dressing for radiation patients. “This is fantastic news for cancer patients, and it has put New Zealand firmly on the world map as a leader in clinical research on radiation-induced acute side effects,” says Herst. Further research is planned with head and neck cancer patients.