Breathing problems with cancer

Many people with cancer have shortness of breath at some time during their illness. Symptoms of breathlessness include difficulty catching your breath, noisy breathing and anxiety or panicky feelings.

Breathlessness can be caused by cancer or its treatment. Other medical conditions can also cause breathlessness.

The type of treatment you need depends on the cause of your breathlessness. Find out about treating breathlessness, including treating fluid on the lung (pleural effusion).

Cancer can cause fluid to collect around the lungs causing problems with breathing. This fluid build up is called a pleural effusion.

Organisations, support groups, and books to help you cope with breathlessness and other symptoms caused by cancer and its treatment.