Mercy Health Expands Breast Cancer Radiation Oncology Services
Prone positioning available as possible treatment option
Lorain, OH (October 24, 2024) – Mercy Health is expanding its radiation oncology services for breast cancer patients, adding prone positioning to its treatment offerings. Prone breast radiation therapy positions women on their bellies during the treatment using a specially designed padded table for proper immobilization. This allows radiation to be delivered with high precision while also limiting exposure to nearby healthy tissues.
“In prone positioning, the breast tissue falls forward and away from the patient through an opening in the prone board thus allowing for a smaller dose of radiation to the chest wall. Positioning patients in this way can also reduce the risk of immediate and delayed side effects, as it allows for more even distribution of the radiation. In turn, this can effectively reduce the degree of skin irritation that patients may experience,” said Dr. David Barron, Mercy Health radiation oncologist and medical director, oncology service line and radiation oncology.
Dr. Barron studied prone breast treatment during his residency training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, where they originated the technique. He was instrumental in bringing this treatment to Mercy Health – O’Brien Cancer Center.
This technique is ideally suited for left-sided breast cancers. This position spares heart tissue and, in many cases, surrounding healthy lung tissue from radiation exposure compared to exposure when patients are positioned on their backs. It can also be well suited for patients with larger breasts.
“Another benefit to prone positioning is that more precise doses can mean fewer treatments. A shorter treatment course is often an attractive option for patients, as fewer treatments are more convenient and help patients get back to living their lives sooner. Shorter treatment time can also have advantages in efficacy compared to traditional longer courses of radiation,” said Dr. Barron. “It’s important to note that not every patient is an ideal candidate for prone positioning. We’re here to help counsel and work with our patients to help determine the right treatment options that are best for their diagnosis.”
The addition of this treatment option joins a host of recent advancements made in cancer care at Mercy Health in the last three years, including the investment in a new linear accelerator and the expansion of breast brachytherapy services.
Mercy Health – Lorain’s cancer program is accredited by the American College of Surgeons’ (ACS) Commission on Cancer (CoC), a recognition it’s held since 1991. It recognizes Mercy Health – Lorain’s delivery of high-quality, innovative patient care through its various cancer-related programs that focus on the full spectrum of cancer care, including prevention, early diagnosis, cancer staging, optimal treatment, rehabilitation, life-long follow-up for recurrent disease and end-of-life care.
Mercy Health – Lorain is also accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a quality program administered by the ACS. As an NAPBC-accredited center, the Mercy Health – Lorain Breast Cancer Program is committed to maintaining levels of excellence in the delivery of comprehensive, patient-centered, multidisciplinary care resulting in high-quality care for patients with breast disease. Patients can be confident that their breast care team includes health care professionals from a variety of disciplines who are committed to working together to provide the best care available through their entire course of treatment. Patients receiving care at an NAPBC-accredited center also have access to information on clinical trials and new treatment options, genetic counseling, and patient-centered services including psychosocial support, rehabilitation services, and survivorship care.
Patients interested in learning more about prone positioning can contact Mercy Health at 440-324-0440 for additional information. They can also learn more about Mercy Health – Lorain’s radiation oncology services here.
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About Mercy Health – Lorain
Mercy Health - Lorain is part ofBon Secours Mercy Health, one of the 20 largest health systems in the United States and the fifth-largest Catholic health system in the country. The ministry’s quality, compassionate care is provided by more than 60,000 associates serving communities in Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia, as well as throughout Ireland. Mercy Health – Lorain is a full-service, not-for-profit, integrated health care system, which has been providing quality health care to Lorain County and surrounding communities for more than 125 years. The health system provides inpatient, outpatient and ancillary services through its two hospitals, Mercy Health – Lorain Hospital and Mercy Health – Allen Hospital in Oberlin; Mercy Health Physicians; and specialized facilities, including the Mercy Health - Cancer Center and Mercy Health – Outpatient Rehabilitation and Therapy. The mission of Mercy Health – Lorain is to extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus by improving the health and well-being of our communities and bring good help to those in need, especially people who are poor, dying and underserved. For more information, visit Mercy Health online atwww.mercy.com.
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