A fair number of women who have breast cancer have to undergo radiation treatment sparing the surrounding tissues and the vital organs like the heart and the lungs is essential.

When radiation therapy is given, the cancerous areas are targeted and the DNA in the cells, both healthy and those which are cancerous are damaged, preventing cell growth.. The problem is while treating areas, like the whole breast for breast cancer patients, healthy tissue in the heart and lungs can also be affected.

"Patients are lying on their backs and radiation is done in two different angles, like the and like this from the side. Sometimes the patients and the anatomy of the chest wall, you might end up treating a lot of lung and heart," said Dr. Arun Puranik.

To avoid hitting essentials parts of the chest area, having a patient lie face down is safer, it's called the Prone Breast radiation therapy.

"With face down, the breast hangs away from the chest and we bring the same two angles but almost entire lung and heart is outside the field," said the doctor.

While face down or prone position, is comfortable for many patients if you have head, neck or low back problems or you are elderly, you may not opt to have that you may go for the more traditionally radiation which is on your back.

Not all radiation centers provide this type of therapy, if you are a breast cancer patient, ask your doctor for more information.