Radiation effects on lungs?

Hi there, I personally don’t know, but you might give the lovely folks here at Macmillan a call and chat this through with them in the first instance. They are available 8am to 8pm daily on 0800 808 0000. Best wishes 

Hi there .I had 15 sessions of radiotherapy July/Aug 2024 and didn't seem to have any problems .In July 2025 ,I had a cough that wouldn't clear after a bad cold so went to my GP .He said my heartrate was high ,so told me to go straight to a&e.Well,after a chest xray and CT scan it was found that I had a blood clot in the lung and there is also scarring in the lung .Fortunately after a course of steroids and blood thinners the clot has dispersed ,but I am waiting for lung function tests as I get very breathless .I had been taking Abemaciclib, but was took off them as soon as the clot was found .Oncologist has now said they don't think Abemaciclib caused the lung problem ,but the scarring in lung was likely from the radiotherapy .I'm a bit fed up with it really ,because I always had healthy lung function but I suppose it was lucky they found the blood clot at an early stage .It may be a good idea to get your chest/lungs checked just in case 

Hi

I’m so sorry to hear about your experience.  Thank you for sharing. 
I will follow-up.  

Hi Caff1 and Fred26,

I finished 5 sessions of radiotherapy at the Royal Marsden and finished four weeks ago.

I was told at my ‘planning’ day, that radiation damage to my left lung couldn’t be avoided but was unlikely to be noticeable unless I caught Covid or Flu.  I can advise I was first in the queue for a flu vaccination, and would also have had a Covid one, had I been eligible!  Perhaps you become more aware of the damage, if you catch these infections?  

I was also advised that rib damage was a possibility.  Oh, and possible future heart problems too, as mine is left sided breast cancer.  What joy!  

My real problem is with my shoulder, which is incredibly painful (nerve damage, my physiotherapist has said), which was never mentioned as a side effect.  We all respond to these (awful) treatments differently, and, like most things in life, one size does not fit all.

Hopefully, you will both find that your present lung problems are a combination of factors, radiotherapy damage, contact with small children, and the passing of age, and nothing more.  I’m 68, but if you asked me, I’d probably say I was 38, except at bedtime, when I’d probably say I was 98!

Best wishes to you both.

Hi Pollyanne6e1125,

The advice on COVID and flu vaccines is new to me.  Good job I take-up every vaccine offered including shingles.  Unfortunately, the incidence of COVID and flu in the last year occured just before I was booked in for boosters. 

I found the latest chest infection difficult as I had to press my ribs on the left side to reduce the pain.  As you say, we all experience the treatment differently.  The issues I had n the first year were skin changes.  My left breast feels like it is covered in sandpaper: thankfully nothing to be concerned about.

I hope the pain you have reduces and can be managed,

Best wishes for 2026 you and Caff1.