A chest x-ray is used to see if the cancer has metastasized or spread to your lungs.  It is also used to assess your heart and lungs before you are given chemo or anesthesia for surgery.

As you are standing, two views of the chest are taken; one from the back and the other from the side of the body.  For the first view, the technician will position you with hands on hips and chest pressed against the image plate (you will be asked to wrap your arms around the imaging plate_ The technician will then ask you to take a deep breath and will capture the image (from behind a wall or in another room). For the second view, you will be positioned with your side against the image plate and your arms elevated and the same deep breath.