Non-pharmacological treatment of breathlessness

Breathlessness is a common and distressing symptom in cancer patients, and medical interventions to relieve it can often cause some distress. Patients can be taught self-help measures, but they might not remember them later and nursing staff might not be aware of these measures and so cannot reinforce them.

A poster has been designed to remind patients of non-pharmacological methods of relieving dyspnoea and to educate staff and agency nurses on postural changes and breathing retraining. It is hoped that this will result in more holistic care for cancer patients with shortness of breath.