Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women. About one in four people will develop lung cancer in their lifetime. Many people commonly associate lung cancer with smoking and therefore assume that only smokers get lung cancer however this is not true.
Fortunately, lung cancer can be treated, however treatment is more effective the earlier it is detected. If you start to notice any of these symptoms, please reach out to your doctor to be sure.
Coughing up Blood
Coughing up blood is never, ever a good sign and may be a symptom of several different conditions, including lung cancer. If you notice that you or anyone you know are coughing up blood, you need to see your doctor immediately.
Chest Pains
Chest pains are popular as a symptom of a heart attack, however the lungs are also located in the chest, therefore chest, back, or shoulder pains that do not go away may be a sign of lung cancer. A feeling of tightness in the chest or sharp pain that gets worse with deep breaths, cough or laughter is enough reason to see your doctor. In any case, any type of chest or lung pain warrants a trip to the doctor, just to make sure everything is fine.
Persistent Cough
A coughing fit could be a result of allergies, a cold, or even just food or water going down the wrong pipe. However, if that cough never seems to go away, it could be a sign of something more sinister and serious like lung cancer. Cancer in the airway can irritate your throat and make you cough. There’s something in there that’s not supposed to be there, so your body is trying to get rid of it. Cancer can also produce mucus, which can worsen a cough.
Shortness of Breath
It’s not unusual to be a little out of breath after climbing the stairs or doing other physical activities. However if every little activity causes you to be out of breath this may be a sign that something is not quite right with your lungs (or heart even).
Short distances that suddenly leave you gasping for air are indications that you are either out of shape or suffering from a long or heart condition. Shortness of breath can be as a result of a tumor blocking the windpipe, or from an accumulation of fluid in the chest that pushes on the lung and causes difficulty breathing..
Constant tiredness
We all experience tiredness, going to school/work everyday is enough to make many people tired, however, if you start to feel more tired than usual even when you haven’t made any changes to your daily routine, it could be a sign of cancer. It may not specifically signal lung cancer, but it is a definite red flag that something is not right. Weight loss and loss of appetite are also a sign of lung cancer. Smoking, also increase your risk of developing lung cancer.
Generalized Body Pain
Lung cancer typically does not present symptoms until the later stages of cancer. This means that it’s possible for lung cancer to go undiagnosed until it’s spread to other parts of the body. Symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and balance problems, or even numbness in the limbs can mean that cancer has spread to the brain or spinal cord. Yellowing of the skin and eyes could be a sign that it has spread to the liver, and lumps on the body could mean the disease has spread to the skin or lymph nodes.
