I'm a 32 year old who has been suffering from occasional shortness of breath. it feels like i'm being suffocated and lasts a few minutes then goes away, then i'll go several weeks before it happens again. i smoke, could this be lung cancer ?

It is more likely something simple like cough variant asthma or vocal cord dysfunction. It is worth your writing down a full description of all your related symptoms to take with you to a doc visit. Add 3 decades to your age & I might think something serious. It could be, but more likely something fixable.

There are many possible respiratory disorders that could cause your symptoms. It would not be appropriate to make a guess without a pulmonary work up.

It is not feasible to provide an opinion without additional history, physical examination may be some tests. It would be prudent to see your doctor to see if you may be depressed. Depression is treatable. Counter-intuitive as it may seem, exercise may help. Start with low intensity exercise such as walking and gradually increase the intensity as tolerated. Drink more water. Quit smoking!