Left breast radiotherapy

Hi Hillbilly,

I just wanted to jump in and provide you with some more information. I've had a quick chat to our policy team in regards to your questions and your previous post about the use of a snorkle.

For women with a left sided breast cancer, one of the concerns can be the dose of radiation to the heart which sits to the left side of the body. Many radiation centres are now using what Jennie has mentioned above, the technique called Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) to reduce the risk to the heart and any long term cardiac side effects that might otherwise occur.

DIBH requires a woman to hold her breath for a short period- about 20 seconds, several times during each daily treatment. A special camera and equipment monitors your breathing so that the treatment machine only delivers the radiation whilst you are holding your breath.

The team had not heard about the use of a snorkel but perhaps it is something that some women are being offered to help them to hold their breath?

Your radiation oncologist will be able to tell you more about this technique and whether it might be helpful for you.

~ Ann-Marie