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-   -   Would have been nice to know (left-side radiation) (https://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=62461)

rhondalea 01-05-2015 07:47 PM

Would have been nice to know (left-side radiation)
 
So this:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0105125918.htm

"Women who have breast cancer on their left side present a particular challenge to radiation oncologists. Studies have shown that the risk of heart disease is higher in this group of women after radiation treatment because it can be difficult to ensure that a sufficient dose of radiation is delivered to the left breast while adequately shielding the heart from exposure. New research shows a woman who holds her breath during radiation pulses can greatly reduce radiation exposure to the heart."

The study has been ongoing for eight freakin' years. Do you think they could have just passed along this little tidbit just in case? I mean, seriously, if it had turned out to be a big nothing, then no harm, no foul. But because it is a non-invasive, totally-without-deleterious-consequences technique, there was no reason not to have women holding their breath all that time.

It just boggles the mind.

Hopeful 01-06-2015 07:08 AM

Re: Would have been nice to know (left-side radiation)
 
I actually did this, but it was more about holding as still as possible for me. (I had a left breast cancer.) Good to know.

Hopeful

rhondalea 01-06-2015 07:42 AM

Re: Would have been nice to know (left-side radiation)
 
I tend to hold my breath a lot when things are being done to me, but I cannot remember if I was holding my breath for each pulse.

I'm glad someone did, though. I just can't believe that they weren't telling everyone to do this, just in case. And you can bet that some doctors still won't, because it always takes so freakin' long for this information to trickle down.

thinkpositive 01-06-2015 08:15 AM

Re: Would have been nice to know (left-side radiation)
 
Wow! This is the first I heard about holding your breath. I agree with rhondalea, this would have been nice to know. Hopefully others on this site who are planning on having radiation to the left side can benefit from rhondalea's posting.

Take Care


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