I stopped smoking 10 months ago but did smoke for 46 years. Recently I have found myself feeling like I just can t get enough air into my lungs. It started out occasionally but it is increasing. I am overweight and have put more weight on since not smoking and most of my weight is in my stomach area and sometimes it feels like something is inside my stomach area that won t let me get enough air. I did have a pulmonary function test that came back OK and am scheduled for a stress test and EKG. On another front, I have lower back pain almost every day because of Herniated and degenerative discs. It has been bothering me a whole lot more than usual and I m wondering if there is a connection with the shortness of breath. I have been having a problem with bloating too. I am concerned that it might be some kind of cancer. My mom s mother died of some kind of female cancer but my mother was not sure which one. I hope this isn t too much and I thank you for your opinion!!