Breathlessness clinics for lung cancer patients

Innovative breathlessness clinics run by specialist nurses at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital are helping improve the quality of life for people with lung cancers, including mesothelioma.

For the past 18 months, specialist nurses have been holding weekly breathlessness clinics at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital for patients with primary and secondary lung cancers, or  mesothelioma.

Patients are referred to the clinic by family doctors, hospital consultants, community and specialist nurses. The breathlessness clinics are nurse-led and involve assessment and counselling of patients followed by a variety of therapies including breathing exercises and relaxation techniques. 

Macmillan nurse Anna Farrar said: “For anyone with lung cancer, breathlessness can have a severe impact on their day-to-day life and we’re keen to spread the message to a wider audience about the kinds of therapies we use to bring about real improvements to lung cancer patients’ quality of life.”