Chest pain after cancer treatment could be caused by heart or lung damage from chemotherapy or targeted therapies. For further information, please see :

1. Late effects on the heart - Late effects on the Heart following radiotherapy
2. Late effects on the lungs - Late effects on the Lungs following radiotherapy
3. Late effects from radiotherapy - Late Effects of Radiotherapy

When to Seek Immediate Help

Always contact emergency services (999) if you experience:

• Chest pain or tightness.
• Difficulty breathing or severe breathlessness.
• Pain radiating to the arm, neck, or back

If you are experiencing anxiety, your chest pain could be in response to the flight or fight response, resulting in a rapid heart rate, muscle tension and hyperventilation.  It often feels like sharp, stabbing pain or localized tightness, usually subsiding within 10–20 minutes.

While common, anxiety-related chest pain can feel similar to heart attacks, so medical evaluation is crucial to rule out cardiac issues.

Key Characteristics of Anxiety Chest Pain

• Duration: Often comes on quickly and goes away within 10-20 minutes, though it can last longer.
• Location: Usually stays in the centre or left side of the chest, rather than spreading
• Sensation: Described as sharp, stabbing, aching, or a feeling of pressure.
• Triggers: Often occurs during a high-stress moment or panic attack. 

Anxiety vs. Heart Attack Symptoms

• Anxiety Pain: Tends to be sharp, localized, and may feel worse when breathing deeply, but not necessarily with exertion.
• Heart Attack Pain: Often feels like pressure, squeezing, or heaviness that radiates to the arms, back, or jaw and often worsens with physical activity.