Deep Inspiration Breath Hold Technique for Radiation Therapy
What is Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) in Radiation Therapy?
DIBH is a treatment technique that involves you holding your breath while radiation is delivered to your breast or chest wall. Other than holding your breath, there is very little difference between the DIBH technique and other radiotherapy treatment.
Why has my doctor suggested DIBH radiotherapy?
Your Radiation Oncologist has suggested this treatment for you because it may reduce the dose of radiation to your heart and lungs. Your heart and lungs are close to your chest wall and breast, especially on your left side. By holding your breath, you push out your chest wall and expand your lungs. This moves your heart away from the radiation fields.
What can I expect if I’m having DIBH radiotherapy?
You will need to be able to take a breath and hold it for 20 to 30 seconds at a time. You will need to do this during your planning session and for each of your daily treatments. It will help to practice holding your breath in the days leading up to your planning session appointment. This will help you become more confident in holding your breath and allow you to expand your chest as much as possible.
What if I can’t hold my breath for DIBH radiotherapy, or my doctor decides not to give me DIBH radiotherapy?
If DIBH radiotherapy isn’t right for you, there are other treatment techniques that also reduce radiation to your heart or lungs. Please talk with your Radiation Oncologist or Radiation Therapist if you have any questions or concerns.
How will I know if I am breathing deeply enough during my treatment?
A camera will check your breathing and a computer screen will show you a picture that will help you to know if you are breathing in enough air.
The image on the next page shows what you will see on the screen. The white bar will move up and down as you breathe in and out. When the white bar is inside the green bar, you have enough air in your lungs and the radiation beam will be switched on by the computer. If you breathe out during the treatment, the white bar will move outside of the green bar and the radiation beam will switch off. There are safety measures in place to make sure that the radiation beam can only be turned on when the white bar is inside the green bar.
Image B: Not quite enough air in the lungs (the white bar is still too low)
Image C: Enough air in the lungs (the white bar sits within the green bar)
How can I practise holding my breath at home?
It is a good idea to practice holding your breath at home before having your planning CT (computerised tomography) scan and your first radiotherapy treatment appointments. This will help you become more confident in holding your breath to expand your chest as much as possible during your appointments. Follow these steps to practice holding your breath at home:
- Find a comfortable spot to lie down on your back. This could be on your bed or on the floor.
- Place one pillow underneath your knees and another underneath your head for support.
- Raise your arms above your head, if you can, hold each elbow with the opposite hand (this is like the position you will be in for your CT scan and each radiotherapy treatment).
- Take a few normal breaths in and out.
- Staying as relaxed as possible take a deep breath through your nose into your chest. It is important to breathe in gradually, like if you were smelling a flower. It is also important that you can hold your breath for 20 to 30 seconds when you have your scan and appointment. For this reason, your deep breath should be a little bit less than the maximum amount of air you are able to breathe in.
- Breathe out slowly.
- Take a few normal breaths.
If you require clarification of DIBH instructions, please contact the CT Team of Radiation Oncology Department on (02) 5124 8444.