DIBH (Deep Inspiration Breath Holding)

Hi Hopeful:  I had radiation to my left side following a mx.  There are many safeguards now being applied and vary depending upon the equipment being used, techniques followed by your treatment centre, etc.  Regardless of whether or not breathing is utilized or not, your RO should be able to explain what your centre does to ensure minimum exposure to your heart.  Breathing is not the only option.  But it can reduce exposure as the heart pulls back out of the way of the radiation field.  You have to be able to hold your breath for quite some time.  They usually offer practice sessions beforehand.  I studied all of this extensively before opting for radiation as it was optional for me.  But everything I did read that was published recently was quite reassuring that minimal exposure now occurs to the heart and even that left sided radiation does not pose a greater threat than right sided.  They have come very far from years ago when radiation posed a much greater risk.  I am almost one year post radiation and have had absolutely no problems (however, problems often only show up years later).  Hope this helps. 

I don't have details yet of my treatment, but the breathing was brought up by my RO today. So yes, they do do that at my center, and it was my RO who mentioned it. He said they do all they can to protect heart, lungs and anything else that shouldn't be radiated. I'm planning on getting more details at my next appointment.

Hi Hopeful. Deep inspiration breath holding was mentioned at my consult but not at my simulation. First treatment is Monday so will know more after that. I, too have neck disc problems. Found it OK prone if I kept my neck straight, looking down. Pretended I was getting a massage! Games people play!

Hi Hopeful. I start radiation on Monday. Deep Breath Holding was mentioned by my ro, but nothing at my sim last Friday. Guess I'll find out on Monday. I too have neck disc problems. I found it easier to keep my neck straight. Pretended I was having a massage. Games people play!

They place a bolus on your chest to imitate your tissue that is no longer there so that the radiation hits at the correct intensity.  Again, not all centres use boluses.  I had one where I received my radiation.  Different techniques are often reflective of different equipment available.  There are massive differences in radiation equipment that is likely more significant to the quality of care you are receiving than of these techniques.  The skill of the RO is also very significant.  Just keep asking questions and then you really have to go with your gut feeling as we just cannot get that educated that quickly.  Check references if you can.  And again, remember that radiation today is so much safer overall than it was earlier.  Try to relax as it was much easier for so many of us than we had anticipated.  (((hugs)))   

Morwenna:  I could not for the life of me remember the word bolus either and I just finished rads not quite a year ago.  Good thing we can forget some of this stuff

I had the breathing thing 5 years ago when I was doing radiation. I really didn't know what it was for--I just did what they showed me. Holding the breath was really easy. Good luck!

Thanks for your kind words, hopeful. I'll post again when I find out more. I have a CT scan on Feb. 4th so that they can get the simulation process started.