Managing breathlessness when cancer is advanced

People with advanced cancer often experience shortness of breath or breathlessness. This may sometimes be called dyspnoea.

Learn more about:

• Why breathlessness can happen
• Symptoms of breathlessness
• Treating breathlessness
• Ways to manage breathlessness
• Podcast: Managing Breathlessness when Cancer is Advanced

Why breathlessness can happen

Breathlessness can happen for many different reasons, including:

• fluid surrounding or in the lungs
• an infection
• the cancer itself
• scarring from radiation therapy
• pressure from a swollen abdomen
• anaemia (low red blood cell levels)
• underlying chronic breathing disorders, such as asthma or emphysema
• heart problems
• anxiety
• general weakness.

Symptoms of breathlessness

Symptoms of breathlessness include difficulty catching your breath, noisy breathing or very fast, shallow breaths. Although breathlessness can make you feel distressed and anxious, there are ways to prevent or reduce its impact on your quality of life.

Treating breathlessness

Treatment will depend on the cause of the breathlessness. You may need to have any fluid around the lungs drained, or medicine prescribed to treat an infection or other lung problem. If breathlessness is caused by the lungs not supplying enough oxygen to your blood, your doctor may be able to arrange a portable oxygen cylinder.

Ask your doctor or nurse about medicines, such as a low dose of morphine, to manage the distress of breathlessness.

See below for things you can do at home to help improve breathlessness.

Ways to manage breathlessness

	Create a breeze Use a handheld fan to direct a stream of air across your face if you feel short of breath. Or you could open and sit near a window to increase airflow.
	Lean on a pillow Sit up or lean forward on a table with an arm crossed over a pillow to allow your breathing muscles to relax. You can also use a walking frame when out or lean on the shopping trolley at the supermarket, as this position can ease your breathing.
	Keep up your fluid intake It’s important to make sure you drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Being dehydrated can make you feel more breathless.
	Take time to sit down Spread out activities during the day or break them up into smaller tasks. Place chairs around the house so that you can sit down between activities or when moving from room to room.
	Try relaxation programs Listen to a relaxation recording or learn ways to relax. Cancer Council has free relaxation and meditation recordings available as CDs or podcasts. Some people also find breathing exercises, acupuncture and meditation helpful.

→ READ MORE: Looking ahead

Listen to our podcast on breathlessness

Listen to more episodes from our podcast for people affected by cancer