People with cancer can experience a range of respiratory and cardiac problems. These may be as a result of the cancer itself (e.g. lung tumours) or the cancer treatment (e.g. post-operative surgical complications like chest or wound infections) or due to toxicity of anti-cancer drugs that affect the cardiac or respiratory system.

Clinical nurse specialists and physiotherapists at registered and enhanced level can help with the management of common respiratory symptoms including difficulty clearing chest secretions (‘sputum’ or ‘phlegm’), shortness of breath/breathlessness or changes to respiratory mechanics e.g. loss of lung volume (the ability to take a deep breath) which may be affected by pain or muscle weakness.

Physiotherapists and exercise professionals at registered and enhanced level can help with advice around safe physical activity for people who are breathless or have other cardiac or respiratory symptoms. This can be supported by fitness instructors and support workers at a supportive and assistive level of practice. Occupational therapists at registered and enhanced level can help with adaptations to lifestyle and activities of daily living and fatigue management.