New Technique Helps Women Protect Heart During Breast Cancer Treatment

CLEVELAND (CBS) — For women battling breast cancer, treatment can sometimes harm their hearts. Now a Cleveland hospital is using a technique to protect patients. Joyce McCain’s breast cancer was picked up in a routine mammogram earlier this year. The 65-year-old considered her active lifestyle and decided a lumpectomy with radiation was the right treatment for her. Then doctors explained there could be side effects for the heart. Joyce McCain (WBZ-TV) “That gave me something else to start worrying about,” McCain said. Joyce’s cancer was in her left breast, so radiation to treat the cancer could also expose her heart to incidental radiation – and that could lead to heart disease. “More commonly we worry about long-term side effects of the heart and that can include, for example, increased risk of coronary heart disease and subsequent heart attacks,” Dr. Chirag Shah of the Cleveland Clinic said. Dr. Shah told Joyce about a technique they’re using that protects the heart from radiation while still delivering treatment effectively. A new technique is being used to protect women’s hearts during breast cancer treatment (WBZ-TV) Patients wear a snorkel-like device during radiation. They take a deep breath and hold it; increasing the distance between the heart and the area getting the radiation. “As the breast and the chest lift up during the inspiration, the heart stays where it is. So we’re able to treat the breast and chest while limiting the dose t...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health News Breast Cancer Dr. Mallika Marshall Local TV Source Type: news