Does anyone else use deep breath hold technique for left breast radiation?
Community Member
a month agoI am doing The Deep Inhale breath hold for left sided breast cancer and I was just wondering if anyone up here does this also to pull the heart and lungs back while getting the radiation to Breast.I Think I must be only one getting this when I go because I never hear radiologist team telling anyone else in there to take a deep breath and hold it for about 25 seconds .I do this about five times doing every treatment which only lasts about 10 or 15 minutes and I was thinking It would be when the radiation machine is right on the breast giving the radiation that i hold my breath ,but at my center they tell me to do DIBH before the radiation machine gets right on the breast it is like when the machine is starting to come toward breast they tell me to hold Breath. I thought I would be done when the actual radiation beams are coming down on the breast.
Accepted Answer
The Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) technique is commonly used for left-sided breast radiation to protect the heart and lungs, so you're definitely not alone in this experience. The timing of when to hold your breath can vary between treatment centers, and it sounds like your team has developed their specific protocol to ensure the best positioning before delivering the radiation beams - many others in this community have likely used similar breath-holding techniques during their treatment.
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Community Member
a month agoThe Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) technique is commonly used for left-sided breast radiation to protect the heart and lungs, so you're definitely not alone in this experience. The timing of when to hold your breath can vary between treatment centers, and it sounds like your team has developed their specific protocol to ensure the best positioning before delivering the radiation beams - many others in this community have likely used similar breath-holding techniques during their treatment.
Community Member
a month agoIt’s to protect your heart and lung - I had to do it as well as the radiologist tech would prompt me to hold my breath during the session. 25 seconds seems a bit long but every case is different I guess..I’m assuming they prompt to when to hold and when to breathe?
Community Member
a month agoYes they prompt me when to hold breath just wondering if it is supposed to be when the radiation machine is directly on the breast or if it is like they do about 20 Seconds before the radiation beams are giving my radiation.Another thing I didnt know if you come in and for whatever reason you are not able to hold breath they won't give you radiation that day or will with hold it until you can .
Community Member
22 days agoI had to do that when I did radiation
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