The Breath-Hold technique

You can practise the Breath-Hold technique before you come for your radiation therapy planning or treatment day. You may need to hold your breath for about 25 seconds. This may seem like a long time but it will become easier as you practise.

To practise the Breath-Hold technique:

1. Lie on your back, raise your arms and place your hands on your head.

2. Feel your muscles relax and focus on your breathing - slow breaths in, and slow breaths out.

3. When you’re ready, breathe in. Feel your breath enter your chest.

4. Breathe out.

5. Once you are comfortable, take the biggest breath you can. As you breathe in, try not to arch your back. Instead, feel your breath expand your chest while your back stays flat. Breathe out.

6. Now, take a breath that feels about 3/4 of your biggest breath. This is your breath size for the Breath-Hold technique.

7. Breathe in again and hold your breath. Hold your breath for a few seconds, then breathe out. As you feel more confident, you can work your way up to a 25-second breath-hold.

8. Repeat the Breath-Hold technique 3-4 times in the beginning, working your way up. It is normal to feel a bit breathless after each breath-hold. Breathe until you feel your breathing has returned to normal, then try the Breath-Hold technique again. The aim is about ten, 25-second breath-holds.

Not everyone can manage the Breath-hold technique. Please don’t worry if you feel like you cannot hold your breath - we have ways to deliver the radiation just as safely and effectively.