Signs & Symptoms of Lung Cancer

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Just like in every other cancer, lung cancer also requires early detection for successful cancer treatment. Lung cancer is known to be one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in both males and females in the US/Canada. It starts in the cells of your lungs and grows further when a group of abnormal cells begins to increase and create lumps. Cancer that begins in the lung area can spread to other parts of your body. The early signs and symptoms of lung cancer include a slight cough or shortness of breath which people tend to ignore most of the time. Lung cancer signs depend on the part of the lung from where it has started. These signs become severe as cancer grows further.

In this blog, Dr. Nezami and his team at crlfoundation.org has discussed some of the prominent signs of lung cancer that one must never ignore.

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Lung-cancer: Symptoms, treatment, and early diagnosis

1. Sudden change in a cough

Do not ignore if you notice any changes in a chronic cough, especially if you are a smoker. If you have a tendency of frequent coughing or your cough is deeper or sounds hoarse or you throw up blood or an unusual amount of mucus then its time for you to fix an appointment with your doctor. In case you know someone who is experiencing something like that then ask them to consult with his or her doctor as soon as possible.

2. Pain in the chest area

Lung cancer can sometimes also cause pain in the chest area, shoulders or back. Continuous coughing might not always be the reason for an aching feeling. Inform your doctor as soon as you notice any kind of chest pain whether it is dull, sharp, constant or intermittent. You should also notice if your pain is confined to a particular area or happening throughout your chest. When a lung-cancer is the reason behind your chest pain, the discomfort may be a result of enlarged lymph nodes in the chest wall.

3. Breathing changes

Another possible cause of cancer in lung’s shortness of breath or becoming winded easily. Changes in our breathing habits occur when the lung-cancer blocks or narrows down an airway or fluid from a lung tumor build up in the chest. so if you ever feel difficulty in breathing while climbing stairs or performing a task that was easy for you before, talk to your doctor.

4. Persistent cough

Stay alert for a new cough that lingers. A cough that is linked with cold or any other respiratory infection would go away within a week or two but a persistent cough can be a warning sign of cancer in the lung. Whether your cough is dry or procures mucus, consulting with your doctor will help you detect the real underlying cause of it.

5. Sudden weight loss

A sudden and unexpected weight loss can be associated with either lung cancer or different types of cancer. The presence of cancer in the body uses your body energy to live which drastically drops your weight. Keep a watch on your body weight on a regular basis and contact your doctor if you notice a sudden change.

Who are at risk?

  • Someone who is a chain smoker
  • People between the age of 55 to 60
  • Someone who has a history of smoking within the past 15 years

If you have been experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms of lungcancer do not ignore, talk to your doctor before it is too late. Remember that at CRLFoundation.org, our intention is not to scare you but to make you aware of the disease that will help in lung cancer diagnosis at an early stage.

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