Cancer and its treatments may cause breathlessness. There are different ways to help manage breathlessness. See below for more support

Breathlessness | Macmillan Cancer Support

Managing and treating breathlessness | Macmillan Cancer Support

How your doctor can help | Coping physically | Cancer Research UK

Breathing and relaxation techniques | Coping with cancer | Cancer research UK

Ongoing cough

An ongoing cough after cancer treatment is a common, often chronic symptom caused by lingering treatment effects, a cough that does not go away can be distressing and tiring. It can interfere with your daily life. For example, coughing may affect your sleep.

Common causes can be:

• Chemotherapy: Causing irritation, increased mucous production or persistent lung inflammation
• Targeted Therapy & Immunotherapy: Known to cause coughing as a side effect.
• Infections: Post-treatment immunity may be low, making you susceptible to infections that cause a cough

Tell your GP straight away if you are coughing up blood

Top tips for managing a cough:

• Make sure you drink enough. Drinking plenty of fluid can make mucus thinner.
• Always tell your GP if your cough gets worse, or if you start coughing up yellow or green mucus (phlegm). You may have an infection and need antibiotics..
• Codeine or morphine are drugs that are usually used to control pain. But they can also be used to treat an ongoing cough, even if you do not have pain. •

If you have a dry, irritable cough, your healthcare team may prescribe a cough medicine to help. You can buy some cough medicines at supermarkets or pharmacies. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you buy anything to help with a cough.

• Sometimes a steam inhalation or breathing in salt water (saline) through a nebuliser can help. This can help clear thick mucus from the airways.
• Smoking increases your risk of lung problems. If you smoke your doctor will usually advise you to stop smoking. It can be difficult to stop smoking, especially when you are stressed. Using the NHS Stop Smoking Services improves your chances of success. Your GP can also give you support and advice.
• Relaxation exercises may help you manage a cough

Some people find the stress of a cancer diagnosis or treatment can increase the amount they smoke or vape, which can lead to other health concerns such as an ongoing cough or shortness of breath

For support with this you can speak to your GP or search for local support on the link below:

• Find stop smoking support services - NHS