Are Breath Holding Techniques used for Right Sided Radiation?

macdebbie

I had read somewhere that during your planning session they have you hold your breath and I assume do that during radiation treatment as well, to help avoid your heart.

I had my planning session yesterday and they didn't do that, so was wondering if that's only used for left sided breast cancer?

Lisa_RN314

Hi macdebbie,

I am currently receiving radiation for right sided breast cancer and have to hold my breath during treatments. Not sure if it has to do with treatment location or if it's specific to the radiation oncologist. I'm sure if you ask your RO or therapists they can give a better explanation. Best of luck with your treatments! ~Lisa

serendipity09

macdebbie- I'm almost two weeks post rads and had to hold my breath for rads to my right breast. It was explained to me that I had to do so because of my anatomy and how close the rads would be to my lung. I know of others who did not have to hold their breath. Best of luck to you and I hoping your treatment goes smoothly with minimal to no SE's.

macdebbie

Thanks Serendipty09! I called my RO just out of curiosity since she will be away all week and spoke with the chief technologist. She said they don't use breath holding for the right side, they use something called "blocking" to protect the lungs.

Hoping I sail through this with minimal SE!