Radiation Therapy Side Effects: Shortness of Breath & Fatigue

Question
Hello.  I have early stage DCIS; lumpectomy in July. Started radiation, 10 down with 21 to go.  I'm experiencing some afternoon fatigue but more troublesome is a shortness of breath.  It is similiar to the feeling at 9 months pregnancy when it is hard to breathe freely. Is this part of the fatigue?

Answer
It is most probably due to some inflammation in your airways and some of your pulmonary tissues. It is due to the radiation and very common. You can regard it as a kind of "internal sunburn" and that is really what it is since it is caused by the radiation. It will pass but it will take some time after the radiation has been finished. It is so common that you should have - in my opinion - been informed about it at the beginning of the treatment.