DIBH: A Game-Changer for Left-Sided Breast Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is an important part of the care of women with left-sided breast cancer to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back. There’s a special difficulty in treating the left breast: keeping the heart safe, which is near the treatment area. This concern is being addressed today with advances in radiation oncology with a technique called Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) which allows radiation oncologists to minimise unnecessary cardiac exposure during treatment.
Why Heart Protection is Important?
When radiation is used to treat the left breast, some of the radiation may also be given to the heart and the Left Anterior Descending (LAD) coronary artery, depending on the anatomy of the patient and the radiation treatment plan. Chronic exposure may be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular complications. For breast cancer survivors who may live for decades after treatment, reducing these long-term risks is an important part of modern cancer care.
How DIBH Works?
DIBH is a simple but effective technique that employs controlled breathing to move the heart away from the area of radiation treatment.
Advanced DIBH Radiotherapy at KIMS Hospitals, Thane
At KIMS Hospitals, Thane, ABC-guided DIBH is combined with the Elekta Versa HD to deliver advanced, cardiac-sparing radiotherapy for appropriately selected patients with left-sided breast cancer.
The Active Breathing Coordinator (ABC) helps patients maintain a controlled and reproducible breath hold during treatment. The Elekta Versa HD complements this with advanced treatment planning, image guidance, and Multi-Leaf Collimator (MLC) technology for precise radiation delivery.
Together, these technologies help achieve:
- Reduced radiation exposure to the heart and surrounding healthy tissues.
- Better protection of the LAD coronary artery.
- Accurate and consistent radiation delivery.
- Effective treatment coverage while minimising potential long-term side effects.
A Better Approach to Breast Cancer Treatment
Modern breast radiotherapy is no longer just about delivering the right dose to the cancer site. It is also about protecting healthy organs and improving long-term quality of life. DIBH represents an important advancement in this direction, making cardiac protection an active part of the treatment process rather than just a planning consideration. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with left-sided breast cancer and radiotherapy has been advised, speak to your radiation oncologist about whether DIBH is suitable for your treatment. One deep breath. More precise treatment. Better protection for the heart. Because treating cancer is only part of the journey. Protecting your health for the years ahead matters too.
