This test uses sound waves to look at the heart. For young people with cancer, the most common reason for having it is before you have treatment to make sure that your heart is working normally. It can also be used as a way of checking for any side effects of treatment by comparing tests done before and after treatment.

what happens?

You can eat and drink normally before the test and it can be done in the outpatient clinic. You will be asked to undress to the waist and put on a gown which opens at the front. You will either lie on a couch or a chair which has a moveable back. The technician will stick some discs to your chest area so that an ECG can be done at the same time. Then the radiographer will put a cold microphone-like probe over your heart, on the left hand-side of your chest. You may have to lie on your side for some of it and you will feel some pressure from the probe. Otherwise it is painless.

If you have it as an outpatient, you can go home afterwards.