Protecting the heart while targeting breast cancer

Dr. Timothy Wagner, a radiation oncologist, explains the innovative way Mays Cancer Center is treating breast cancer without damaging the heart.

This radiation technology is known as C-RAD, and the therapy procedure is called "Deep Inspiration Breath Hold."

This helps prevent long-term cardiac complications because of typical radiation treatments.

Doctors have the patients take a deep breath to push the heart away from the targeted area being treated. It is used on patients with left-sided breast cancer, lymphoma in the chest area, as well as other tumors of the chest and upper abdomen.

Patients are indicated when to hold their breath through virtual reality goggles and have a safeguard where the radiation stops immediately when they are not in range.

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