Patients diagnosed with breast cancer can find out more about their condition and how to prepare for radiotherapy treatment through two new animations produced for East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
How radiotherapy treatment works is the focus of the first animation, which includes what patients can expect during their appointment.
Image taken from one of the animations, copyright Explain My Procedure
The second animation is aimed at those patients who have breast cancer that requires treatment to their left breast or to the right breast which includes the internal mammary chain.
Treatment for patients having radiotherapy to these sites means that some cardiac tissues and structures may be at risk of being in the treatment area. By coaching patients with a technique to hold their breath for a number of seconds during treatment, it is possible to offer more protection to the cardiac tissues. This process is called Deep Inspiration Breath Hold or DIBH.
Tracy Cruttenden (right) with her colleague Danielle Thurlow
Tracy Cruttenden is a Macmillan advanced radiotherapy practitioner based at Colchester Hospital and is one of the team working across both Ipswich and Colchester hospitals who helped to design the animations.
She said the project has been a big team effort across both sites. She added: “We want patients to have a good understanding of their treatment and what it entails before they come to the radiotherapy department.
“These animations offer clear information on how radiotherapy is used to treat those with breast cancer. They’re also designed to help patients feel more informed and hopefully better prepared for the type of treatment they will have. It also allows them the opportunity to practice their breathing beforehand.
“We know it isn’t always easy for those patients who are having this type of treatment to hold their breath for the required 20 seconds, so we hope the animation will be helpful to explain why it’s important and how they can practise and prepare at home. If they need to exhale and breathe within that time frame, the treatment stops automatically.
“Some patients won’t be able to hold their breath and we understand that – so there are alternatives for those patients.”
Image taken from one of the animations, copyright Explain My Procedure
The animations are available for patients having their treatment at both Ipswich and Colchester hospitals.
Rachel Laker (left) with her colleague Lisa Mann
Rachel Laker is the consultant radiographer based at Ipswich Hospital. She said: “Working on these animations has been a great opportunity for cross-site working between the whole of the ESNEFT breast radiotherapy team, allowing for the development of standardised services across the Trust.”
The Innovation Team at ESNEFT worked closely with the team to develop the project and secure the funding through Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity.
Mandy Jordan, associate director for charities and voluntary services at ESNEFT, said: “We hope these animations support patients with their understanding of radiotherapy before they come into hospital so they feel prepared for their treatment.
“This is a project we’re very happy to support as know the benefit it has for our patients. Thank you to everyone who continues to donate and support our hospitals charity.”
A short version of one of the animations is available online.
More information about breast cancer, including the symptoms and treatment, can be found on the NHS website.
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