There are a number of different techniques that have been developing to help women avoid such collateral radiation exposure, but researchers wanted to see if simply holding their breath during the procedure would help.

 

In the study, 81 women were asked to hold their breath during radiation treatment for breast cancer. The researchers found that patients capable of holding their breath over the course of treatment had a 90 percent rate of disease-free survival, and a 96 percent overall survival rate. The breath holders were able to reduce radiation exposure to their heart by 62 percent.

 

In addition, researchers found that women using this technique also were at a reduced risk of developing heart disease.

 

“Given that this technique helps to shield the heart during radiation treatment for breast cancer, we routinely offer breast cancer treatment with the breath hold technique at Jefferson.” said Rani Anne, M.D., associate professor of radiation Oncology at Thomas Jefferson University, where the studies were performed.