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Any one experiencing a cough and congestion after completing breast radation.Icompleted radation about. 3 months ago,but still take the Immu

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
Gulfport, MS
February 11
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A MyBCTeam Member

Let your team know. Both radiation and immunotherapy can cause pneumonitis.

February 12
MyBCTeam

Are you experiencing a cough and congestion after completing breast radiation about 3 months ago?

Yes, this can happen. Radiation therapy can cause lung inflammation called pneumonitis, which may develop within a few months after treatment. Symptoms include:

- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite

Show Full Answer

Are you experiencing a cough and congestion after completing breast radiation about 3 months ago?

Yes, this can happen. Radiation therapy can cause lung inflammation called pneumonitis, which may develop within a few months after treatment. Symptoms include:

- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite

About 38% of people who receive breast radiation develop pneumonitis, though only about 10% experience noticeable symptoms. The condition can also worsen existing chest problems like asthma.

It's important to contact your doctor about these symptoms. They can evaluate whether you have pneumonitis and discuss treatment options, which may include oral corticosteroids or oxygen therapy if needed.

If you're also experiencing shortness of breath along with the cough, definitely mention this to your healthcare team right away.

February 11
A MyBCTeam Member

Hi Cynthia....The 1st time I had chemo it gave me a dry cough that never went away. Last year when I had chemo for the 2nd time the cough got a little bit worse. 6 weeks after chemo was done I had 4 weeks of radiation to the right side of my chest and the cough got even worse. I've also had shortness of breath since the 1st chemo which has gotten worse after the 2nd chemo and radiation. It happens whenever I bend over and leaves me huffing and puffing for a few minutes afterwards. I had a CT scan of my heart and lungs in December and it showed that I now have emphysema in my right lung which I've been told was caused by the radiation. Let your doctor know what's going on and ask if they can have your lungs and heart tested to see if you've developed a side effect that's making you cough. Good luck to you ❤️

February 12

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