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Palliative cancer care - dyspnoea - Management
When should oxygen be considered?

  • Consider in people with chronic dyspnoea who need symptomatic treatment despite having tried simple measures.
  • Clinically assess in primary care if possible, taking into account benefit from simple measures, degree of hypoxia, underlying cause, and risk/benefit of oxygen.
  • If appropriate, a trial of short-burst oxygen therapy may be initiated in primary care following assessment. Tailor to the person's needs. Long-term oxygen therapy should be initiated by a respiratory specialist.

In depth

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