Monday, August 29, 2016
PHOTO CAPTION: Janell Lyons visits with Maha Jawad, M.D., radiation oncologist at Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn to discuss her treatment and medications.
Beaumont-developed technology limits radiation exposure to vital organs
At 37 years old, Janell Lyons is a young, active and vibrant mother of two. The last thing she expected last summer was to find a lump on her breast.
"I do a self-exam every day in the shower with soapy water. I found a lump and decided to go to the doctor,” said the Westland resident. “I had a biopsy and found out I had stage 1 cancer in my left breast”
Doctors immediately scheduled a lumpectomy and recommended treatment including four aggressive rounds of chemotherapy, followed by two months of radiation treatments. Because the cancer was located on the left side of her body, more precautions were needed in order to protect vital organs and tissue, including her heart and lungs.
“Breathing motion causes the targeted area to move,” said Maha Saada Jawad, M.D., radiation oncologist, Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn. “Using active breathing control therapy helps move the heart away from the chest wall so the radiation beam can target the breast tissue and minimize radiation dose to the heart.”
For women with breast cancer receiving radiation therapy, researchers found that holding the breath for 15 - 20 seconds at a time will allow physicians to safely target the affected area without harming other vital organs. Active breathing control therapy is a new technique for Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn radiation oncology specialists, but it was developed more than 15 years ago by Beaumont Health System researchers.
It’s a safer approach to breast cancer radiation treatment that is now being used at academic and private medical centers across the country and is most effective for patients with cancer in the left breast, located near the chest wall.
Radiation therapists help patients get acquainted with the equipment and with the rhythm of inhaling and exhaling during the procedure. Patients are coached by a therapist to hold their breath for 15-20 seconds. Specialized equipment, including a tube and a mouth guard, help pause breathing and movement to avoid harmful radiation exposure.
Janell Lyons works with a radiation technician to apply and use ABC therapy during her radiation treatment session.
“I was scared at first,” said Lyons. “Me holding my breath, I didn’t know how long I would have to do it under the machine. But, it’s like you’re going swimming and have to hold your breath under water. You don’t have to hold your breath that long and the staff helps me count down and encourages me during treatment.”
The intent is to ensure patients are comfortable with the process and with holding their breath for the time clinicians need to find the appropriate threshold.
“A simple technique like ABC can help save lives,” said Dr. Jawad. “It decreases long-term toxicity and risks and can have a significant impact on the reduction of overall side effects. Anything we can do to minimize toxicity in patients, especially those with long lives ahead of them, is one of the biggest benefits of all.”
Treatment involves patients and therapists utilizing a simple process:
- Take deep breaths to prepare for a breath hold.
- Use a breathing device during an exhale to measure the air and prevent any further exhale once the desired lung volume is reached.
- Lie for a CT scan and begin breathing normally once the test is complete.
“There are many cases of advanced breast cancer in the Dearborn and western Wayne communities, and many of these cases require more comprehensive treatment,” said Dr. Jawad. “ABC therapy is a very important part of breast radiation treatment and my colleagues and I are really very excited about having the technology available to our patients here in Dearborn.”
And for Lyons, she’s happy with her progress and has a bit of advice for other women like her.
“Listen to your body and have a positive attitude,” she said. “I was relieved that there was something to help your heart.”