Symptoms of lung cancer you should look out for
According to some estimates, lung cancer causes almost one third of all cancer related deaths in the developed world. As you might suspect, a great deal of attention is being focused on the symptoms of lung cancer, with the intention of detecting the disease early to improve chances of successful treatment. This article will explore the key indicators of this disease and other related issues.
Here are some of the symptoms of lung cancer you should look out for:
- A persistent chough that doesn't get cured and worsens over time
- Pain in the chest that does not go away
- Fatigue while doing normal work
- Loss of weight and/or loss of appetite
- Swollen lymph nodes in the lower neck and upper chest region
- Swollen face
- Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath or wheezing
- Repeated episodes of pneumonia or bronchitis
- Blood in the sputum while coughing
- Change in voice quality; hoarse voice
Remember that while the above symptoms are present in many cases of lung cancer, exhibiting some of them does not necessarily mean the person has the disease. The fact is, these symptoms can be brought on by a wide range of other health conditions as well.
Conversely, as much as 25% of all detected cases are said to show none of the symptoms of lung cancer! In such cases, the disease is usually discovered when the person has a chest x-ray or CT scan done during a routine health checkup.
The only sign present at that stage may be a small tumor in the lung. The lung cancer may be at an early stage and if so, it may be possible to treat it successfully.
Lung cancer can spread silently showing no symptoms at all for a long time. If the disease reaches an advanced stage, it becomes difficult to treat or control. That is why early detection is critical to ensure successful treatment. Some doctors are of the opinion that a chest x-ray should be a part of periodic routine checkups.
Apart from looking for the common symptoms of lung cancer, the doctor will usually check out the patient's medical history, including whether he or she used to smoke. They also look into environmental and occupational factors including exposure to hazardous substances like asbestos, radiation exposure, etc. A family history of lung or other cancers may increase chances of developing this disease.
Lung cancer can be doubly dangerous because it can spread to other parts of the body, including the brain, liver and bones. If it affects the brain, it can cause seizures, nausea and headaches. Cancer that has spread to the liver can result in jaundice or stomach pain.
The lungs are vital organs necessary for the healthy functioning of the rest of the body and damage to the lungs can result in death. Greater awareness of the symptoms of lung cancer can help by promoting early detection and treatment.
