51É«APP

Breathlessness, or shortage of breath can be physically tiring and can sometimes cause feelings of panic and anxiety.

The information on this page will help you to find out more about breathlessness and ways to manage it during and after cancer treatment.

What is breathlessness?

Breathlessness is sometimes called shortness of breath, or dyspnoea.

The feeling of breathlessness can be mild to severe, and it affects everyone differently.

You may feel out of breath climbing the stairs or trying to do normal tasks around the house.

It can sometimes cause palpitations.

Causes of breathlessness

There are several possible causes for breathlessness. These include anaemia, side effects of cancer treatment, chest infections, fluid on the lungs or abdomen, and occasionally heart problems.

There are also some cancers that can cause shortness of breath, such as primary lung cancer, mesothelioma, or cancer that has spread to the lung from another area of the body.

Occasionally, breathlessness can make any exertion difficult, which can lead to feeling panicky, which in turn can cause symptoms of breathlessness, and so it can become a vicious cycle

Managing breathlessness

The main thing to be aware of is that there are many ways to manage and control breathlessness effectively.

• If you are experiencing sudden shortage of breath on exertion or at rest, then tell your doctor, specialist nurse or medical team. They can identify the cause of the breathlessness and offer you the right treatment.
• Relaxation techniques can help break the cycle of anxiety and breathlessness by focusing on ways to effectively breath out to enable the upper chest and shoulders to relax. This will help you to bring your breathing back under control.
• You can also drop into your nearest Maggie's centre to talk to a cancer support specialist to find out more or to join one of our relaxation sessions.
• Using a fan so you can feel the air on your face is something many people find helpful. You can consider keeping a portable fan with with you to use when you are out and about.
• Try to plan your day to avoid having to rush anywhere or to make multiple trips (for example, going to the shops or upstairs to get things). Pace yourself by regularly taking breaks between activities and ask for help with activities you struggle with.
• When you are breathless, you are likely to be mouth breathing. This can make your mouth very dry and also make eating difficult. Eating smaller and more frequent meals and having regular sips of a drink can be helpful.
• Talking with others about your experiences can help, as you gain advice and tips from others in similar situations. This can be online via trustworthy cancer information websites, or by dropping in to your nearest Maggie's centre.

What now?

51É«APP out more about managing breathlessness from the links on this page.

If you have any questions or want to talk things over with our professional teams, just come in to your nearest Maggie51É«APP™s centre.

Last review: May 2026 | Next review: May 2029